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‘He’s elite’: Kewan Lacy becomes Ole Miss’ first Doak Walker finalist

Ben Garrettby: Ben Garrett8 hours agoSpiritBen

Ole Miss star running back Kewan Lacy is the first Doak Walker Award finalist in school history. 

Lacy is one of three players still under consideration. The others are Ahmad Hardy (Missouri) and Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame). Love is a Heisman Trophy candidate. 

Lacy, arguably, should be, too. He’s rushed for 1,136 yards and a single-season program-record 19 touchdowns. No. 6 Ole Miss is 10-1 (6-1 SEC) and would seemingly punch its ticket to the College Football Playoff with a win at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6) on Black Friday.

“It comes with having a support system, like my coaches, just trusting and believing in me,” Lacy said of his success this season. “Coming in here, putting in long hours of watching film with my coaches. Going through walkthroughs. It’s just a great feeling coming out here and showing what I to do and having the ability with my offensive line and the receivers. Showing it out there and going 1-0 [each week].”

RELATED: Kewan Lacy is on the hunt for SEC rushing title and more Ole Miss records

Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy and offensive linemen Patrick Kutas and Diego Pounds (Photo credit: Ole Miss Football/X)

Lacy is also Ole Miss’ new record-holder for all-purpose touchdowns.

No other non-kicker in Ole Miss history has scored more single-season points (114). He’s fourth in carries and sixth in yards.

Lacy leads the nation in rushing touchdowns and the SEC in all-purposes scores. He’s third in FBS. Lacy also tops the conference in points (No. 4 FBS) and points per game (No. 4 FBS). He’s sixth in the country in rushing and eighth in yards per game. 

Lacy, according to Pro Football Focus grading, has forced the most missed tackles (84) in the SEC and second-most nationally. He’s fourth in yards after contact. 

“I can’t take credit and say I could have predicted this much production from him and the amount of plays in the game and carries,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said. “He’s been awesome. He works extremely hard. No ego. Loves playing the game. So, he’s just a player that you really love to coach and unique toughness.”

RELATED: Kewan Lacy holds the key for Ole Miss’ success in next week’s Egg Bowl

Ole Miss is coming off a rumor-filled by week. 

But last time out the Rebels defeated Florida, 34-24. Lacy made additional history with 224 rushing yards, the most by a Rebel running back in 15 years.

Lacy picked up Player of the Week honors from the SEC, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp.

The winner of the Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on Friday, December 12. The formal presentation of the award will take place during college football’s annual banquet, this year scheduled for Dallas, Texas, on January 30, 2026.

“We gave him the ball 31 times,” Kiffin said after Florida. “So, you know, he’s elite, and really, I think in the second half of the season, as you look, he’s gotten stronger, which is highly unusual. You know, he leads the SEC, I think, in carries by far, which he might lead the NCAA now. Really, that’s unusual because he’s had wear and tear throughout the year.

“Really, maybe Derrick Henry’s the only one we’ve had like that that got stronger, and he carried about 90 times in the Iron Bowl and SEC Championship against Florida, actually in a seven-day span, and I think he could do something like that. He just seems to get stronger. He plays almost every snap during the game and is just a really elite player because usually your fast guys like him can’t stay durable and run the way he does between the tackles and short yardage.”

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