Best Running Backs in College Football (Doak Walker Award Watch List)

The following post explores the best running backs in college football (Doak Walker Award Watch List).

Some college football teams have an NFL-level RB capable of turning a toss sweep into an 80-yard TD. These are the RBs you need to know about when betting on college football.

Read: Best Kickers in College Football

Related: Best Times to Live Bet College Football

Recognizing when an NFL-caliber running back is facing an inferior defense is a prime opportunity for you to capitalize on the mismatch as a sports bettor.

So who are the big playmakers at RB? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

The Doak Walker Award Watch List features the top running backs in the nation heading into the new college football season.

How the Award Works

Throughout the season, the Doak Walker Award Committee tracks the performance of running backs on the preseason watchlist. At mid-season, the committee reduces the list to 10 semifinalists. From this group, the top three finalists are chosen.

The winner is chosen from these three finalists by a panel of college football coaches, media members, and former Doak Walker Award winners.

Doak Walker Award Watch List (2024)

In no particular order, here is the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List:

• Kaytron Allen – Penn State

• LeQuint Allen – Syracuse

• Mario Anderson – Memphis

• Kevorian Barnes – UTSA

• CJ Baxter – Texas

• Lee Beebe Jr. – UAB

• Ulysses Bentley IV – Ole Miss

• Jaydon Blue – Texas

• Tahj Brooks – Texas Tech

• Antario Brown – NIU

• Jalen Buckley – Western Michigan

• Ryan Butler – Stanford

• CJ Campbell Jr. – Florida Atlantic

• Marcus Carroll – Missouri

• Nathan Carter – Michigan State

• Donald Chaney – Louisville

• Demond Claiborne – Wake Forest

• Dean Connors – Rice

• Quinton Cooley – Liberty

• Marquez Cooper – San Diego State

• Marquis Crosby – Louisiana Tech

• Jacory Croskey-Merritt – Arizona

• Ja’Quez Cross – Arkansas State

• Sean Dollars – Nevada

• CJ Donaldson Jr. – West Virginia

• Donovan Edwards – Michigan

• Trevor Etienne – Georgia

• Rahsul Faison – Utah State

• Kaden Feagin – Illinois

• DJ Giddens – Kansas State

• Ollie Gordon II – Oklahoma State

• Rodney Hammond Jr. – Pitt

• Omarion Hampton – North Carolina

• T.J. Harden – UCLA

• Rahjai Harris – East Carolina

• RJ Harvey – UCF

• Justice Haynes – Alabama

• Jamal Haynes – Georgia Tech

• Roman Hemby – Maryland

• TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State

• Daniel Hishaw Jr. – Kansas

• Jarquez Hunter – Auburn

• Jordan James – Oregon

• Ashton Jeanty – Boise State

• Montrell Johnson Jr. – Florida

• Quinshon Judkins – Ohio State

• Jaylan Knighton – SMU

• Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame

• Marion Lukes – Central Michigan

• Phil Mafah – Clemson

• Woody Marks – USC

• LJ Martin – BYU

• Damien Martinez – Miami

• Josh McCray – Illinois

• Chez Mellusi – Wisconsin

• Jam Miller – Alabama

• Devin Mockobee – Purdue

• Kyle Monangai – Rutgers

• Jaquez Moore – Duke

• Devin Neal – Kansas

• Nate Noel – Missouri

• Cam Porter – Northwestern

• Jadarian Price – Notre Dame

• Kanye Roberts – App State

• Kye Robichaux – Boston College

• Abu Sama III – Iowa State

• Dylan Sampson – Tennessee

• Raheim Sanders – South Carolina

• Gavin Sawchuk – Oklahoma

• Malik Sherrod – Fresno State

• Nicholas Singleton – Penn State

• Cam Skattebo – Arizona State

• Terion Stewart – Bowling Green

• Darius Taylor – Minnesota

• Alex Tecza – Navy

• Jai’Den Thomas – UNLV

• DeaMonte Trayanum – Kentucky

• Bhayshul Tuten – Virginia Tech

• Kayne Udoh – Army

• Dre’lyn Washington – Louisiana

• Jordan Waters – NC State

• Harrison Waylee – Wyoming

• Jahiem White – West Virginia

• Noah Whittington – Oregon

• Leshon Williams – Iowa

• Nay’Quan Wright – South Florida

• Elijah Young – WKU

Doak Walker Award Winners (2000 – Present)

Here are the winners from years past – notice lots of NFL names on this list.

• 2023: Ollie Gordon II – Oklahoma State

• 2022: Bijan Robinson – Texas

• 2021: Kenneth Gainwell – Memphis

• 2020: Najee Harris – Alabama

• 2019: Jonathan Taylor – Wisconsin

• 2018: Bryce Love – Stanford

• 2017: Darius Anderson – TCU

• 2016: Christian McCaffrey – Stanford

• 2015: Derrick Henry – Alabama

• 2014: Melvin Gordon – Wisconsin

• 2013: Andre Williams – Boston College

• 2012: Montee Ball – Wisconsin

• 2011: Trent Richardson – Alabama

• 2010: Mark Ingram – Alabama

• 2009: Toby Gerhart – Stanford

• 2008: Knowshon Moreno – Georgia

• 2007: Darren McFadden – Arkansas

• 2006: Troy Smith – Ohio State

• 2005: Reggie Bush – USC

• 2004: Cedric Benson – Texas

• 2003: Larry Johnson – Penn State

• 2002: Willis McGahee – Miami

• 2001: Eric Crouch – Nebraska

• 2000: Ron Dayne – Wisconsin

In Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing the best running backs can give you an inside edge when betting on college football. It’s wise to keep these RBs (and their teams) in mind as you approach the season.