DALLAS — BYU sophomore running back LJ Martin was named a preseason candidate for the prestigious Doak Walker Award by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday.
The Doak Walker Award, first presented in 1990, is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate running back. Former BYU consensus All-American Luke Staley won the award in 2001.
As a true freshman in 2023, Martin led BYU with 109 carries for 518 yards and four rushing touchdowns. His four rushing touchdowns through the first five games of his career are the most for a BYU true freshman running back since Staley had eight through five games in 1999.
Martin was honored as a freshman of the week by the Football Writers Association of American in week three of the 2023 season after scoring two touchdowns and helping BYU to a 38-31 win at Arkansas. He also rolled up a career-high 93 rushing yards in a 27-14 win over Texas Tech.
In 2023, College Football News named Martin to its Midseason All-Big 12 Third Team. In June 2024, he was named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists of the Doak Walker Award in early November. The national selection committee—consisting of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives—will announce the three finalists in late November. The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12.
The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of the 2024 season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.
Click HERE for the complete list of Doak Walker Award candidates.