Three Notre Dame running backs named Doak Walker Award candidates

One of college football’s most prized awards recognized three Notre Dame football players as contenders to bring home the trophy at season’s end.

On Tuesday, the Doak Walker Award — presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding college running back — announced its preseason candidates. Fighting Irish running backs junior Jeremiyah Love, redshirt junior Jadarian Price and sophomore Aneyas Williams all claimed spots on the list.

Notre Dame was one of three schools with at least three players named to the list, joining Southern Cal (sophomore Bryan Jackson, junior Waymond Jordan and senior Eli Sanders) and East Carolina (senior Marlon Gunn Jr., junior Parker Jenkins and sophomore London Montomery). The list featured 52 total candidates.

No Notre Dame player has won the Doak Walker Award since its inception in 1990. Former Irish RB Reggie Brooks came closest as a finalist in 1992 after rushing for 1,343 yards and 13 touchdowns. The winner that year ended up being Georgia running back Garrison Hearst, who compiled 1,692 yards and 14 TDs.

Last year’s winner was former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. He rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Broncos to their first-ever College Football Playoff berth. The Las Vegas Raiders — whose running backs coach is former Irish assistant Deland McCullough — drafted Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Penn State running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider replaced McCullough as Notre Dame’s running backs coach in February after McCullough decided to return to the professional ranks.

Seider now oversees perhaps the nation’s deepest running backs room, led by Love, Price and Williams. Last season, the trio of Irish rushers combined for 2,090 yards and 26 touchdowns. That was despite quarterback Riley Leonard accounting for 906 yards and 17 scores on the ground. With the Irish aiming to enhance their passing attack in 2025, the trio of Notre Dame running backs will be able to bolster their Doak Walker Award résumés.

Notre Dame football players on preseason award watch lists

Here’s a look at which other Notre Dame football players have claimed spots on preseason award watch lists:

— Maxwell Award (college football’s most outstanding player): Love

— Outland Trophy (best college football interior lineman): Redshirt juniors Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner

— Bronko Nagurski Trophy (college football’s best defensive player): junior linebacker Drayk Bowen and sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore

— Jim Thorpe Award (college football’s top defensive back): Moore

— Butkus Award (college football’s top linebacker): Bowen and redshirt junior Jaylen Sneed

— Wuerffel Trophy (community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement): Wagner

— Walter Camp (player of the year): Love