3 Flames Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

Three of the premier running backs in the country will be carrying the football for the Flames in 2026 according to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum earlier today released the preseason candidates for the 2026 Doak Walker Award. The Forum annually presents the award to the nation's most outstanding college running back.

The list included 62 of the top FBS running backs in the country, including three Liberty players – Kam Davis, Peyton Jones and Kayne Udoh.

Liberty is the only team in the country with three players on the watch list and one of six teams with multiple selections (Florida State, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas and Penn State).

All three players are new to Liberty's 2026 roster. Davis joins the Flames after two years at Florida State (2024-25), Jones three seasons at Duke (2023-25) and Udoh from Arizona State (2025) and Army (2023-24).

Davis played in 13 games at Florida State during his two seasons. In 2025, he saw playing time in four games, rushed four times for 51 yards and a touchdown. In 2024, Davis played in nine games with 52 carries for 173 yards.

Jones picked up 30 games of experience during his three seasons at Duke. He finished his time with 112 carries for 422 yards and five touchdowns. He also added 11 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. During the 2024 season, Jones also had 18 kickoff returns for 382 yards (21.2 yards per return).

Udoh posted a 1,000-yard season at Army in 2024, finishing the year with 179 carries for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranked No. 28 in the country in rushing, helping Army to the American Conference championship game. Last year at Arizona State, he had 56 carries for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

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 2026 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 10, 2026.

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.

Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List
Kedrick Reescano (Sr.), Arizona
Sutton Smith (Sr.), Arkansas
Kenyon Clay (Sr.), Arkansas State
Godspower Nwawuihe (So.), Army
Evan Dickens (Jr.), Boston College
Adam Mohammed (Jr.), California
Vaughn Blue (Jr.), Central Michigan
Richard Young (Sr.), Colorado
Mel Brown (Sr.), Colorado State
Ashton Grey (Jr.), East Carolina
Braydon Bennett (Sr.), Eastern Michigan
Jadan Baugh (Jr.), Florida
Leonard Farrow (Sr.), Florida Atlantic
Ousmane Kromah (So.), Florida State
Quintrevion Wisner (Sr.), Florida State
Justice Haynes (Sr.), Georgia Tech
Malachi Hosley (Sr.), Georgia Tech
Makhi Hughes (Sr.), Houston
Ca'Lil Valentine (Jr.), Illinois
Khobie Martin (So.), Indiana
Turbo Richard (Jr.), Indiana
Kamari Moulton (Jr.), Iowa
George Pettaway (Sr.), James Madison
Dylan Edwards (Jr.), Kansas
Yasin Willis (Jr.), Kansas
Kam Davis (Jr.), Liberty
Peyton Jones (Sr.), Liberty
Kanye Udoh (Sr.), Liberty
DeJuan Williams (So.), Maryland
Manny Covey (Jr.), Memphis
Mark Fletcher Jr. (Sr.), Miami
Cam Edwards (Sr.), Michigan State
Ahmad Hardy (Jr.), Missouri
Herschel Turner (Jr.), Nevada
Demon June (Fr.), North Carolina
Jayden Scott (So.), NC State
Jahiem White (Sr.), North Texas
Telly Johnson Jr. (Jr.), NIU
Bo Jackson (So.), Ohio State
Caleb Hawkins (So.), Oklahoma State
Devin Roche (Jr.), Old Dominion
Kewan Lacy (Jr.), Ole Miss
Jordon Davison (So.), Oregon
AJ Newberry (Jr.), Oregon State
Carson Hansen (Sr.), Penn State
James Peoples (Jr.), Penn State
Fame Ijeboi (So.), Purdue
Lucky Sutton (Sr.), San Diego State
Jabari Bates (Sr.), San Jose State
Kendrick Raphael (Sr.), SMU
Matt Fuller (So.), South Carolina
Raleek Brown (Sr.), Texas
Hollywood Smothers (Jr.), Texas
Cameron Dickey (Jr.), Texas Tech
CJ Miller (Jr.), Toledo
Duke Watson (Jr.), UCF
Wayne Knight (Sr.), UCLA
Peyton Lewis (Jr.), Virginia
Marcellous Hawkins (Sr.), Virginia Tech
Cam Cook (Sr.), West Virginia
Ajay Allen (Sr.), Western Kentucky
Samuel Harris (So.), Wyoming

2026 Football Season Ticket Information
Season tickets are on sale now for the 2026 season! Buying season tickets remains the best cost-saving option to watch Flames Football at Williams Stadium in 2026.

Starting at just $90, fans can save up to 56 percent by purchasing season tickets. Purchase tickets by going to www.LUFootball.com or calling/texting the Flames Ticket Office at (434) 592-5015.

Limited premium seating inventory remains available for club seats as well as cabanas. If you are interested, please contact the Flames Club at (434) 582-2582.

Schedule

3 Flames Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

Players Mentioned

Vaughn Blue

Kam Davis

Evan Dickens

Peyton Jones

Kanye Udoh

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