Doak Walker Award Winner List

The Doak Walker Award is presented to the most outstanding running back in a college football season. "A football player's outstanding performance on the field, as well as his achievements in the community and in the classroom," according to Southern Methodist University (SMU), are recognized by this award. Since 1990, the best running back has received this award. Blair Buswell's bronze sculpture of Doak Walker serves as the award.

Texas' Bijan Robinson won the Doak Walker Award in 2022 after being chosen ahead of Illinois' Chase Brown and Michigan's Blake Corum. Najee Harris, Jonathan Taylor, Derrick Henry, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Reggie Bush are among the other Doak Walker Award winners.

Ollie Gordon II of the Oklahoma State Cowboys won the Doak Walker Award in 2023 after rushing for more than 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), and Cody Schrader (Missouri) were the top three finalists.

Ten semi-finalists—Jonathon Brooks (Texas), Tajh Brooks (Texas Tech), Marcus Carroll (Georgia State), Blake Corum (Michigan), R.J. Harvey (UCF), Damien Martinez (Oregon State), and Kimani Vidal (Troy)—were chosen to make the final three.

Doak Walker Award’s History

The Doak Walker Award was founded in 1990. The National Selection Committee for the award, which is made up of prominent sportswriters, analysts, television commentators, radio sports personalities, and former NFL All-Pro and All-America football players, chooses the winner.

The only three players to win the award more than once are Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin, 2018–2019), Darren McFadden (Arkansas, 2006–2007), and Ricky Williams (Texas, 1997–1998).

Who is Doak Walker?

Doak Walker is a former running back, halfback, and kicker who played for the SMU Mustangs from 1945-1949 and the Detroit Lions from 1950-1955 in the National Football League (NFL). During his time with the SMU Mustangs, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1948.

Walker was later honored with inductions into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986) and the College Football Hall of Fame (1959). He died from complications following a skiing accident on September 27, 1998.

The 2023 Doak Walker Award Winner

The Oklahoma State Cowboys' Ollie Gordon II won the Doak Walker Award in 2023 after rushing for over 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns. The top three finalists were Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II, North Carolina's Omarion Hampton, and Missouri's Cody Schrader.

Which Players Won Multiple Doak Walker Award?

All of them have won the Doak Walker Award two times each. Between 2012 and 2019, Wisconsin's running backs emerged victorious four times in eight years. Texas and Wisconsin are tied for the most victories, five apiece.

Doak Walker Award’s Selection Process

All NCAA Division I-A colleges and universities may submit nominations for running backs from their football teams each summer if: the candidate significantly impacts his team while playing primarily as a running back; has good academic standing; has good citizenship; has a track record of exhibiting leadership; and demonstrates fair play and sportsmanship traits.

A team of former All-America and NFL All-Pro football players, sportswriters, television pundits, analysts, radio sports personalities, and the National Selection Committee receive statistical updates from the Forum office throughout the season.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors meets in the middle of November to discuss the accomplishments of each applicant and cast votes to choose ten semifinalists for the award.

The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee receives the semifinalists' files the next day and casts its votes to select the three finalists. After that, a second vote will be taken by the National Selection Committee to choose the winner. At the Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet in Dallas, the winner of the award is given a live announcement on ESPN's The Home Depot College Football Awards show.

List of Doak Walker Award Winners Year by Year