CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois running backs Kaden Feagin and Josh McCray were named to the 2024 watch list for the Doak Walker Award by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) and the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday.
Illinois is one of 10 programs nationally to feature two backs on the 2024 Doak Walker Award watch list, joining Alabama, Kansas, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, and West Virginia.
DOAK WALKER AWARD
The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the most outstanding running back in college football. Created in 1989, the award pays homage to Doak Walker, who won the 1948 Heisman Trophy and was a three-time All-American, and it honors student-athletes who excel on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community. The Doak Walker Award recipient is voted on by a national selection committee, which includes sports writers, television commentators, analysts, radio sports personalities, former All-Pro and All-America running backs, and past award winners.
- Doak Walker Award website
- Last three winners:
- 2023: Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
- 2022: Bijan Robinson, Texas
- 2021: Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State
KADEN FEAGIN
- 2024 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team
- 2023 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (coaches) as a true freshman
- Twice named Big Ten Freshman of the Week during the 2023 season
- Played in nine games with four starts as a true freshman
- Began career with 74 consecutive carries without a negative rush
- Ranked 10th in the Big Ten in rushing yards in conference games (405)
- Posted a game-high 148 yards of total offense (89 rushing/59 receiving), including a career-long 54-yard touchdown reception, at Minnesota
- Set career highs for rushes (24) and rushing yards (97), with a touchdown vs. Wisconsin (10/21/23)
- Made first start at Maryland (10/14/23), tallying 97 yards of offense (84 rushing, 13 receiving) and his first touchdown to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors
JOSH MCCRAY
- Missed all but nine games over the last two seasons, playing in the first five games (one start) in 2023, seeing action in four games in 2022, but missing the rest of each year due to injury
- 2023 Doak Walker Award watch list
- 2023 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team
- Had a breakout freshman season in 2021, ranking second on the team in both carries (112) and rushing yards (549) with two rushing touchdowns
- Ranked ninth in the Big Ten and 14th nationally in rushing yards per carry (4.9) as a freshman
- Rushed for 142 yards at #7 Penn State (10/23/21), the most rushing yards ever by an Illini true freshman against a ranked opponent
- Rushed for career-high 156 yards – the most nationally by a freshman in a road game that season – on a career-high 24 attempts at Purdue (9/25/21)
- Rushed for 60 yards on eight attempts and his first-career touchdown against Maryland (9/17/21)
- Illinois victory team MVP against Nebraska (8/28/21)
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 6)
