Standout RB Hawkins plans to leave North Texas

Key Highlights

• Wide receiver Wyatt Young, the third-leading receiver in the FBS with 1,264 yards as a sophomore, also plans to enter the transfer portal, a source told ESPN. Running backs Ashton Gray and Makenzie McGill II, defensive linemen Ethan Day and Joshua Pierce, linebacker Ethan Wesloski and safety Quinton Hammonds have also announced plans to transfer since North Texas closed out its season Saturday with a 49-47 victory over San Diego State in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. After the first 12-win season in school history, the program is expecting significant roster attrition as it transitions from Morris to new coach Neal Brown.
• Morris is taking defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity and several assistant coaches, as well as general manager Raj Murti, with him to Oklahoma State. Hawkins, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound back from Shawnee, Oklahoma, was one of the top breakout freshman stars in the sport and a first-team all-conference selection.
• He surpassed 200 total yards six times for the Mean Green, including a 233-yard performance against San Diego State.
• He was offensive MVP of the bowl game. North Texas star quarterback Drew Mestemaker, the FBS passing leader with 4,379 yards, planned to wait until after the bowl game to decide where he will play in 2026.
• If he moves on, he'll be one of the top quarterbacks available in the transfer portal window, which runs Jan.