Martinez Lands on Doak Walker Award Watch List
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami Hurricanes junior Damien Martinez was selected to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Doak Walker Award, as announced by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Tuesday. The Forum annually presents the award to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
The watch list is comprised of 87 student-athletes, including 15 from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
A 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist, Martinez was one of the leading rushers in the country last season.
Martinez finished 24th nationally with 1,185 yards on the ground, scoring nine touchdowns in his second season at Oregon State.
During his debut campaign in 2022, the 6-foot, 232-pound halfback ranked fourth among all FBS freshmen with 982 rushing yards to go along with seven touchdowns.
A two-time All-Pac 12 First Team pick, Martinez racked up a dozen 100-yard performances for the Beavers, highlighted by a career-best 178-yard effort against Colorado in 2022.
The preseason recognition is the second for the Lewisville, Texas, native, as he was also tabbed to the Maxwell Award watch list.
Martinez is one of eight Hurricanes to have received preseason distinction: defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (Preseason All-ACC), kicker Andres Borregales (Groza Award), defensive back Jaden Harris (Wuerffel Trophy), linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (Nagurski Trophy, Preseason All-ACC), wide receiver Xavier Restrepo (Maxwell Award, Preseason All-ACC), Jalen Rivers (Outland Trophy) and Cam Ward (Maxwell Award, Preseason ACC Player of the Year, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award).
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November. 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 recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
