Today, 88 candidates were announced for the annual Doak Walker Award, which honors the nation's most outstanding college running back. Surprisingly, only one Ole Miss player, Ulysses Bentley IV, made the 88-player preseason watchlist.
Bentley, who had a productive season behind the departed Quinshon Judkins, rushed for 540 yards from 95 carries while adding four touchdowns. Despite him likely being the No.1 running back for Ole Miss this season, at least one of the transfer running backs should have made the watchlist alongside him.
Henry Parrish Jr. is that running back. Parrish spent the last two seasons with Miami, rushing for over 600 yards in both seasons and leading the team. Looking at other players who made the list was an odd snub. However, he will have a chance to make it, with players being added and dropped based on their performances during the season.
2023 Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) made the list again. He is looking to become only the third running back to win the award twice, following Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin 2018-19) and Ricky Williams (Texas 1996-97.)
Plenty of running backs from the SEC made the list, including Trevor Etienne (Georgia), CJ Baxter (Texas), and Jam Miller (Alabama). The award winner will be announced on December 12, part of The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Who is Doak Walker?
Doak Walker was a multi-position player, mainly as a halfback and kicker for SMU from 1945 to 1957-49. In 1946, Walker did not play college football, as he was inducted into the US Army. Walker gained All-American honors from 1947 to 1949. During his famous 1948 season, he ended up winning the Heisman Trophy.
After college, Walker was selected by the Detroit Lions, and he won numerous accolades, including two NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953. The Lions retired his No. 37 shirt, and SMU honored the same numbered jersey he wore.
The Doak Walker watchlist is the first of five watchlists to be announced this week; below are the rest:
Wed., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 8: Davey O’Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 9: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy