USC's Woody Marks on the Doak Walker Watch List

© Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Established in 1989, the Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding collegiate running back. The legendary SMU running back is the award's namesake. Walker won the Heisman Trophy in 1948, was named to three consecutive All-American teams for the Mustangs and is enshrined in the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame.

Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II won the award last year and is back for another season in Stillwater, Okla.

The USC Trojans' Jo'Quavious "Woody" Marks is one of the elite RBs included on the 2024 watch list, which was promulgated by the PwC SMU Athletic Club on Aug. 6.

Woody Marks

Marks is a redshirt senior who transferred to USC from Mississippi State during the 2024 offseason.

During four seasons in "Stark Vegas," Marks had 410 rushes for 1,883 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also excelled on special teams with an impressive average of 21 yards per kickoff return. He started 32 games for the Bulldogs, who utilized him frequently in their pass attack, in which he racked up 1,225 receiving yards. In fact, he holds nearly all MSU receiving records for a running back.

Coach Lincoln Riley is excited about the potential Marks brings to the Trojans' running game in their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference. Noting his excellent pass-catching ability, Riley primarily emphasized Marks' physical, tough running.

The USC coaching staff is counting on Marks to provide balance to the Trojans' offense, which features explosive talent at the wide receiver position, including sophomores Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson—two five-star recruits in the 2023 cycle who enter the 2024 season with high expectations.

Doak Walker Watch List

In November, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors is scheduled to name 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award. Those 10 semifinalists will then be narrowed down to three finalists. Votes are cast by members of the selection committee which includes previous recipients of the award, former collegiate All-American running backs and NFL All-Pro RBs, along with select media members. The winner will be announced on Dec. 12.

The last Trojan to win the award was Reggie Bush, in 2005.

Only two players have won the award twice—Ricky Williams of the Texas Longhorns and Jonathan Taylor of the Wisconsin Badgers.

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for continued reporting on the USC Trojans, the 2024 Doak Walker Award and other exciting college foot all news.