Cooley Named to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List

Liberty's Quinton Cooley, the chief back in the Flames' nationally leading rushing attack last year, has been recognized for his rushing talents heading into 2024.

Cooley was one of 87 players named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award preseason watch list, an award that annually honors the best running back in the country.

This is the third preseason award watch list for Cooley. He was joined on the Maxwell Award watch list by quarterback Kaidon Salter, which honors the top player in college football.

Additionally, Cooley was named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Preseason Watch List, the nation's premium community service award.

This year's Doak Walker Award preseason award watch list features 2023 Doak Walker Award recipient Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State), who is seeking to become the third two-time recipient of the award (Melvin Gordon 2018-19 and Ricky Williams 1996-97).

The list also features 2023 Award finalist Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) and 2023 semifinalists Tajh Brooks (Texas Tech), Marcus Carroll (Missouri), R.J. Harvey (UCF), and Damien Martinez (Miami).

Cooley made the most of his first season at Liberty, earning CUSA Newcomer of the Year honors and leading the Flames in rushing and scoring.

The transfer from Wake Forest ranked No. 7 in the country with 1,401 rushing yards and No. 6 nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns. He also ranked No. 13 in rushing yards per carry (6.34), No. 14 in total touchdowns (16) and No. 15 in rushing yards per game (100.1).

Cooley, a native of Bailey, N.C., and the Flames finished the 2023 season with a school record 4,106 rushing yards and had the country's No. 1 rushing offense (293.3 yards per game).

Liberty also ranked No. 4 nationally in total offense (499.1 yards per game) and No. 9 in scoring offense (38.3 points per game).

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient.

The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.

The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.

2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Liberty's exciting 2024 slate includes home games against AAC foe East Carolina (Sept. 21) and CUSA home games against UTEP (Sept. 14), FIU (Oct. 8), Jax State (Oct. 30) and WKU (Nov. 23).

You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.

Flames Nation will get its first look at the 2024 roster when Liberty hosts its annual Fan Appreciation Day event on Saturday, August 17. Williams Stadium gates will open at 5:30 p.m. with a scrimmage set to begin at 6 p.m.

Liberty Athletics will hold an autograph session with its football players and coaches following the scrimmage inside the Indoor Practice Facility. More details about this event will be coming soon to LibertyFlames.com and the @LibertyFlames and @LibertyFootball social media platforms.

Schedule

Cooley Named to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List

Players Mentioned

Quinton Cooley

Kaidon Salter