Preseason award watchlists continue to be revealed and on Tuesday, this year’s Doak Walker Award watchlist was announced. Last week, the Maxwell Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy, Ray Gay Award, and Lou Groza Awards were all previewed. This week, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watchlist was revealed before the Doak Walker Award watchlist.
The Big Ten is known for top-end running backs. Only two players have been two-time recipients of the award and one was from Wisconsin. Not to mention the two-time Heisman Trophy winner, running back Archie Griffin of Ohio State. This year, 17 Big Ten running backs land on the Doak Walker Award watchlist for 2024.
17 Big Ten Backs Land on Doak Walker Award Watchlist
Two-Headed Monster at Penn State
Of all of the Big Ten programs represented on the Doak Walker Award watchlist, Penn State is the first with two running backs honored. The Nittany Lions have a two-headed monster at running back. Nicholas Singleton has been racking up preseason honors, being named to the Maxwell and Walter Camp watchlists.
Both he and Kaytron Allen have been two of the best in the Big Ten in their two years sharing the backfield. Singleton had a massive freshman year and took a step back last year. In total, Singleton comes into his junior season with 1,813 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. Allen rushed for 867 yards and 10 scores as a freshman. Last year, he added 902 yards and six touchdowns.
A Dangerous One-Two Punch at Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson, when healthy, has been one of the best playmakers at Ohio State over the last three seasons. He enters 2024 with 2,745 yards and 32 touchdowns off 446 rushes. Henderson can also do it as a receiver, hauling in 50 passes for 569 yards for five touchdowns. When healthy, which is a massive caveat because he’s missed eight games over the last two seasons, he’s half of a potentially elite one-two punch in Columbus.
Quinshon Judkins, on the other hand, was a massive get by Ohio State’s coaches from the portal. He’s set to be part of a top-tier one-two punch alongside Henderson. A two-time First-Team All-SEC running back, Judkins comes to Ohio State with 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns. Every report out of Fall Camp has been raving about the new running back tandem.
A Couple of Fighting Illini
Illinois has produced some solid running backs over the years but they don’t get the recognition of others. This year should be no different. To start, the youngster, Kaden Feagin, made a name for himself last year. In his first year at the college level, Feagin rushed for 438 yards and two scores off 95 carries. He added 116 yards and a touchdown off nine receptions. He was the second-leading rusher on the team.
His running mate is just as dynamic. Josh McCray, the team’s fourth-leading rusher accounted for 156 yards and two touchdowns off 43 attempts a year ago. However, that was in five games. He hasn’t logged close to an entire season of work since his freshman year when he went off for 549 yards and two scores as the number-two behind eventual NFL Draft pick, Chase Brown.
Nate Carter, Michigan State
The only Michigan State running back with over 93 rushing yards a year ago is fourth-year running back, Nate Carter. In his first season with the Spartans, Carter literally carried the load, en route to a 185-carry, 789-yard, four-touchdown season. For his first two seasons, Carter played for the UConn Huskies. There, he totaled 983 yards and three touchdowns off 190 carries.
Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Donovan Edwards is easily one of the top running backs in the conference despite a down year last year. In that 2022 season, he ran for 991 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, he had just 393 yards and three scores heading into the College Football Playoff National Championship. There, he reminded what he could do with a 104-yard, two-touchdown game to win it. With the top of the running back depth chart now open, Edwards is set to have a big year on a Michigan offense that prioritizes running the ball.
Roman Hemby, Maryland
Heading into the 2023 season, Roman Hemby was expected to be one of the best running backs in the Big Ten. Now, heading into 2024, he’s featured on the Doak Walker Award watchlist. He’s coming off a season where he wasn’t quite as efficient as before, only notching 680 yards and four scores. Compare that to 2022 where he amassed 989 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Terps. As a receiver, Hemby has hauled in 72 passes on his career, or 648 yards and four touchdowns.
Woody Marks, USC
Jo’quavious Marks, also known as Woody, is set to take over the rushing duties for the Trojans after spending four seasons with Mississippi State. As a Bulldog, Marks was consistent. he ran for 312, 416, 582, and 573 yards in his four seasons with 22 touchdowns. He has run the ball over 100 times in each of his last three seasons and can carry the load for USC.
Chez Mellusi, Wisconsin
One of the oldest Doak Walker Award watchlist players is sixth-year back, Chez Mellusi. In his career, Mellusi has battled injuries. He’s played more than nine games once in his freshman season at Clemson. Last year, his season was cut short after four games, thus preserving his redshirt. In his long career, Mellusi has run the ball 407 times for 2,021 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Rutgers’ Kyle Monangai is considered to be the top returning running back according to PFF. Considering his Big Ten-leading 1,262 yards and eight scores from a year ago, it makes sense. It was his first shot at being the lead back for the Scarlet Knights and he took full advantage. Monangai is expected to Rutgers back to bowl eligibility yet again this year.
Devin Mockobee, Purdue
For the last two seasons, Devin Mockobee has been the lead back for the Purdue Boilermakers. He has finished in the top eight in the Big Ten in rushing in both seasons and top nine in touchdowns. Thus far in his career, Mockobee has run for 1,779 yards and 15 touchdowns off 367 attempts.
Cam Porter, Northwestern
In his first two seasons with Northwestern, Cam Porter was an underrated second running back. Last year, he got his opportunity to lead the way. With 166 rushes, Porter amassed 651 yards and four touchdowns. Coming out of the backfield as a receiver, Porter added 121 yards and a touchdown off 21 receptions.
Darius Taylor, Minnesota
Easily the youngest player from the Big Ten on the Maxwell Award watchlist is sophomore running back, Darius Taylor. The Minnesota running back room was a mess a year ago due to injuries but Taylor stepped up. In his first collegiate season, Taylor ran for 799 yards and five touchdowns for the Golden Gophers. That room is quite a bit more crowded this year but Taylor is the sure-fire leader and is expected to have another solid season.
Noah Whittington, Oregon
For the four games of 2023, Noah Whittington was among the running back rotation behind Bucky Irving. Then, his season ended with a torn ACL. However, in his first season with Oregon in 2022, Whittington rushed for 779 yards and five scores off 139 rushes. In the year prior at Western Kentucky, he led the Hilltoppers with 617 yards and two touchdowns off 101 carries.
Leshon Williams, Iowa
Last season’s leading rusher for the Hawkeyes is back and on the preseason Doak Walker Award watchlist. Iowa has an impressive three-headed attack at running back and Leshon Williams is at the top. Last year, he led the way with 821 yards and 170 carries but only found the endzone once. He’s a real ironman at the position, only missing one game over the last two seasons, and has appeared in each of Iowa’s last 24 games.
