Originally published at: What Is It like Tackling Caleb Hawkins, Big 12 Will Soon Find Out
This fall, the Big 12 will take a crash course on what it’s like to tackle Caleb Hawkins. It’s safe to say his teammates have spent the offseason, and in some cases the last year-plus, learning how difficult that can be. “It is not easy,” linebacker Ethan Wesloski said. “He falls forward. He’s a heavy runner.” Although not exactly what Wesloski meant, Hawkins is literally a heavier runner this season, adding roughly 19 pounds despite “running faster” this offseason than last. The former North Texas back from North Rock Creek High in Shawnee put himself on the map last season when he set an FBS record for freshmen with 29 touchdowns. That also happened to be five more touchdowns than any other single player scored last season. In fact, Hawkins beat second-place scorer Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy by five touchdowns despite the fact that Lacy played in two additional games. “I know I’m playing one of the best backs not in the Big 12, but in the country,” Wesloski said. Wesloski got to know Hawkins last season at North Texas, and the linebacker will likely need to be one of the more successful linebackers in the conference if…