Caleb Hawkins, a standout running back for North Texas, announced on Sunday his intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal. As a true freshman, Hawkins led the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with an impressive total of 29 touchdowns during the season. He is expected to be among the top running backs available when the transfer portal officially opens on January 2, 2024.
Hawkins had a remarkable debut season with the Mean Green, amassing 1,804 yards from scrimmage, which ranks third in the FBS. His performance earned him All-America honors and the title of American Conference Rookie of the Year. His decision to transfer follows the recent hiring of Eric Morris as head coach at Oklahoma State, a move that has prompted several North Texas players to seek new opportunities.
The transfer trend continues as wide receiver Wyatt Young, who finished the season as the third-leading receiver in the FBS with 1,264 yards, also plans to enter the portal, according to a source close to the situation. Other players, including running backs Ashton Gray and Makenzie McGill II, defensive linemen Ethan Day and Joshua Pierce, linebacker Ethan Wesloski, and safety Quinton Hammonds, have announced their intentions to transfer following North Texas’s thrilling 49-47 victory over San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl.
The decision to enter the transfer portal comes after North Texas achieved its first-ever 12-win season under Morris, who is expected to take several key staff members, including defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity and general manager Raj Murti, with him to Oklahoma State. The program is likely to undergo significant roster changes as it transitions to new head coach Neal Brown.
Hawkins, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound running back from Shawnee, Oklahoma, emerged as one of the breakout stars of the season. He recorded over 200 total yards in six games, including a standout performance of 233 yards against San Diego State, where he was named the offensive MVP of the bowl game.
Meanwhile, North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who led the FBS in passing yards with 4,379 yards, plans to evaluate his options after the bowl game. If he decides to transfer, he will be a highly sought-after quarterback in the upcoming transfer window, which is set to run from January 2 to January 16, 2024.
In Morris’s third season, North Texas not only showcased an explosive offense, averaging 45.1 points per game, but also reached the American Conference title game for the first time in the program’s history. With multiple players opting to leave, the team faces an uncertain future as it prepares for the next chapter under new leadership.
