CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Twelve Atlantic Coast Conference running backs representing 10 member institutions have been named preseason candidates for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, which annually recognizes the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
The ACC’s 12 candidates are tied for the most among all conferences on the preseason list released by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.
Florida State and Georgia Tech lead the ACC with two candidates apiece, while Boston College, California, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, SMU, Virginia and Virginia Tech each placed one running back on the preseason list.
2026 Doak Walker Award Watch List – ACC Selections
- Evan Dickens, Sr., RB, Boston College
- Adam Mohammed, Jr., RB, California
- Ousmane Kromah, So., RB, Florida State
- Quintrevion Wisner, Sr., RB, Florida State
- Justice Haynes, Sr., RB, Georgia Tech
- Malachi Hosley, Sr., RB, Georgia Tech
- Mark Fletcher Jr., Sr., RB, Miami
- Demon June, So., RB, North Carolina
- Jayden "Duke" Scott, Jr., RB, NC State
- Kendrick Raphael, Sr., RB, SMU
- Peyton Lewis, Jr., RB, Virginia
- Marcellous Hawkins, 5th, RB, Virginia Tech
University athletic departments nominate candidates for the award and may continue to submit nominations through October.
The Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, followed by three finalists later that month. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient, who will be announced live during
The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10, 2026.
The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. During the 2026 season, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum will also recognize a Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week each Tuesday.