Texas RB duo Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown have been selected to the Doak Walker Award Watchlist. The award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
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While this is Brown’s first time being selected to the preseason team, Smothers made the list last year at NC State.
Texas fans are more than familiar with the award, as it is one of the most synonymous trophies with Longhorn excellence. Texas has four winners and five total trophies, with Ricky Williams winning it twice in 1997 and 1998. Cedric Benson took home the award in 2004, D’Onta Foreman in 2016 and Bijan Robinson in 2022.
The only other program with more than three is Wisconsin, which similarly has won five awards by four players, though their most recent winner was back in 2019.
Texas is one of a few programs with multiple watchlist honors this season.
Smothers notched 939 yards on 160 carries last year, averaging nearly six yards per attempt and scoring six touchdowns for the Wolfpack in 2025.
Smothers was fifth among SEC RBs in rushing yards last year, but did it at a higher efficiency than any of the backs ahead of him. He is also a preseason All-SEC third team selection.
Brown was even more effective statistically last season, taking 186 carries for 1141 yards and four touchdowns. Brown averaged 6.1 yards per carry and added another 239 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Brown was second only to BYU’s LJ Martin in rushing yards last year, but was within 165 yards on 50 fewer attempts. His 95 yards per game ranks in the top-10 of returning P4 backs.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 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.
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