Penn State football running backs Carson Hansen and James Peoples were named to the Doak Walker Award watch list, the National College Football Awards Association announced Tuesday.

The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding running back.

Doak Walker Award Watch List ?

Presented annually to College Football’s Most Outstanding Running Back@James_peoples17 | @CarsonHansen21 pic.twitter.com/IR59y7YYU9

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 18, 2026

The Nittany Lions were one of just six programs to have multiple running backs named to the watch list.

This will mark Hansen’s second time on the watch list, after he was nominated in 2025 while at Iowa State. The Lakeville, Minnesota, native has accumulated 1,771 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 361 career carries in his career.

Peoples, who appeared in 22 games at Ohio State, will likely share the backfield with Hansen this upcoming season to form a complementary rotation. In two seasons with the Buckeyes, Peoples had 110 carries for 541 yards and five touchdowns.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November. Then, three finalists will be announced in late November, with the Doak Walker Award winner announced live during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11.

Larry Johnson in 2002 is the only Penn State running back to win the award since its inception in 1990.

About the Author