Former Salem Spartan Peyton Lewis Named to Doak Walker Preseason Watch List
Former Salem Spartan and current Virginia running back Peyton Lewis has been named one of 62 preseason candidates for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Tuesday. The award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding college running back.
Lewis joined the Cavaliers in January after transferring from the University of Tennessee, where he spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons. During his time with the Volunteers, he appeared in 23 games, averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and scored 10 touchdowns. He was also named a Fourth Team Preseason All-ACC selection by Athlon Sports.
Iowa ties on the watch list
While Lewis carries his Salem roots into the national spotlight, Iowa fans will also see a familiar name on the list. Kamari Moulton, a junior at Iowa, was named to the preseason watch list as well, giving the Hawkeyes a representative among the nation's elite running backs.
Virginia Tech's Marcellous Hawkins also recognized
Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins also earned a spot on the preseason watch list. Hawkins led the Hokies in rushing in 2025 with 749 yards and a touchdown on 118 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. He recorded two 100-yard rushing performances, including a season-high 117 yards against Florida State.
The Oklahoma City native forced 44 missed tackles and gained 562 yards after first contact, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also named to the watch list for the 2026 Wuerffel Trophy, which honors college football players who excel in community service.
How the Doak Walker Award is decided
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November. Three finalists, selected by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced that month. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the winner.
The selection committee includes past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members, and special representatives. The 2026 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10.
The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday during the season, the Forum will announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.
Full 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