Smith Named to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List

Hunter Corneliusen August 18, 2026

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas running back Sutton Smith has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Tuesday.

Since its inception in 1990, the Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back. The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.

Smith arrives in Fayetteville after spending the previous four years of his collegiate career at Memphis, playing under current Arkansas head coach Ryan Silverfield. As a redshirt junior in 2025, Smith appeared in 12 games, rushing for 669 yards and seven touchdowns on 102 carries, while adding 20 receptions for 109 yards, 155 yards on five kick returns and 125 yards on 15 punt returns for a total of 1,058 yards. Smith registered three 100-yard rushing games, highlighted by rushing 12 times for a career-high 147 yards and one touchdown against Arkansas on Sept. 20. Smith’s 64-yard touchdown run with 4:51 left in the game accounted for the game-winning touchdown. Additionally, Smith also rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against Troy (Sept. 13) and registered his final 100+ yard game of the season by rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries against East Carolina (Nov. 15). The Powder Springs, Ga., product also had a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on Oct. 18 at UAB. Smith ranked tied for ninth nationally in rushing plays of 60+ yards with two, while being one of just 14 FBS running backs returning with an 80+ yard rush last season.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The watch list selection marks the second for Smith heading into the 2026 season, as he was previously named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Paul Hornung Award on August 10.

Arkansas opens the season under first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium against North Alabama on Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. on SEC Network. Season tickets are on sale now for as low as $45 per game. To see available seating inventory online, click here, or call the Razorback Ticket Center at 479.575.5151.