LARAMIE, Wyo. (August 17, 2026) – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum released today the preseason candidates for the 2026 Doak Walker Award. The Forum annually presents the award to the nation's most outstanding college running back. Wyoming sophomore running back Samuel "Tote" Harris was named to the list. He was also named to the Maxwell Award Watch List earlier this month.
Harris was a preseason All-MW selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Harris was Wyoming's leading rusher last season, appearing in 11 games with seven starts. He finished the season with 558 yards on 100 carries for 5.6 yards per rush. He added a rushing score on the season coming against Northern Iowa. He also added 184 yards receiving on 16 catches. He rushed for a career-high 126 yards against Colorado with a career-long rush of 50 yards. He had four receptions at Air Force for a season best and had 58 yards receiving including a long of 52 against San Jose State. He also rushed for 102 yards against Fresno State on only 12 carries.
The list features 2025 Doak Walker Award finalist Ahmad Hardy (Missouri). Hardy rushed for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns, ranking second nationally in total rushing yards in 2025. The list also includes 2025 Doak Walker Award finalist Kewan Lacy (Ole Miss), who rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns while helping the Rebels to a Sugar Bowl victory, and 2025 semifinalists Cam Cook (West Virginia), Cameron Dickey (Texas Tech) and Lucky Sutton (San Diego State)
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.
Honoring the legends of sports for 37 years, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum celebrates outstanding success in athletics. Based in Dallas, the series features major figures from a variety of sports. The PwC SMU Athletic Forum hosts a series of yearly receptions and the prestigious Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet.
The Doak Walker Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
