WVU RB CJ Donaldson Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

After a dynamic freshman season, WVU running back CJ Donaldson is receiving some national attention.

Donaldson was named to the 2023 Doak Walker Award Watch List, an award given to the top running back in the country since 1990. The award honors an individual not only for on field performance but also one in good academic standing, record of good citizenship, demonstrates leadership and exhibits the characteristics of sportsmanship and fair play, according to the Doak Walker website.

🏆 𝐃𝐨𝐚𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭#HailWV | @Sp3Cj pic.twitter.com/ebZ1XQcM3t

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) August 9, 2023

An emerging leader in the Mountaineer running back room, Donaldson emerged as a leader in 2022 by putting up an average of six yards per touch and scoring eight touchdowns.

Asti: CJ Donaldson Seems Poised for Big Season as Star of WVU Offense

The honor is named after Doak Walker, a former running back who played for the SMU Mustangs and later the Detroit Lions in the NFL from 1950-1955.

According to a press release on the watch list, 10 semifinalists will be named in November, followed by three finalists. The winner will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards. The 2022 winner was Bijan Robinson out of Texas.