BOISE, Idaho — Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty won the Doak Walker Award on Thursday, an honor presented annually to the top running back in college football.
Jeanty leads the FBS in rushing yards (2,497), rushing touchdowns (29), and carries (344) this season. He's also eclipsed 200 yards rushing six times so far this fall, tied for the most in the FBS in at least 25 years.
Not only is Jeanty the first Boise State player to win the award, but he's the first Bronco to even qualify as a finalist. He's also the first Group of 5 player to win the Doak Walker Award since 2001, when former BYU running back Luke Staley claimed the honor.
Jeanty broke 123 tackles and rushed for 1,882 yards after contact over the first 13 games of the season, both FBS single-season records since Pro Football Focus started tracking those statistics in 2014. He shattered the previous records set by former Texas standout Bijan Robinson (105 broken tackles in 2022) and Alabama alumnus Derrick Henry (1,305 yards after contact in 2015).
At the moment, this is the biggest individual honor in program history. However, Jeanty is also a finalist for the Maxwell Award, which will be presented to the most outstanding player in college football on Thursday. Colorado's two-way standout, Travis Hunter and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel are also up for the Maxwell Award.
Jeanty, Hunter and Gabriel are also finalists for the Heisman Trophy, along with Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The Heisman Trophy winner will be announced in New York on Saturday.