Picture this: a college football season where running backs are not just carrying the ball—they're carrying the entire offense on their shoulders, sparking debates about who truly deserves the prestigious Doak Walker Award. It's a time when raw power and versatility redefine the position, and fans can't get enough!
Last year, we saw a remarkable comeback for running backs, with Boise State's Ashton Jeanty setting records that had everyone talking. His historic performances reminded us just how electrifying this role can be. While no one's matched that level of dominance so far this season, the competition for the Doak Walker Award—given yearly to the nation's top running back—is fiercer than ever. FOX Sports' Joel Klatt has weighed in with his midseason evaluations, selecting his top contenders and naming a winner. These picks draw from a mix of programs, with a strong emphasis on Big Ten teams, and they've got the football world buzzing. Curious about who made the list? Let's dive into Klatt's selections below, complete with their stats and insights, to break it down step by step.
But here's where it gets controversial: With so many talented backs out there, is Klatt's choice based purely on performance, or could team context play a bigger role than we think?
Starting with the crown jewel, Klatt's projected winner is Ahmad Hardy from Missouri. In his first season with the Tigers, Hardy has been a force, leading the Power Five conferences in rushing yards. His stats through the 2025 season? An impressive 115 carries for 782 yards and 9 touchdowns. Hardy kicked off the year with an incredible streak of five consecutive 100-yard rushing games—a feat that, for beginners, means gaining at least 100 yards on the ground in each match, showcasing not just speed but endurance. Unfortunately, that streak ended last weekend against Alabama, where he was limited to around 100 yards total. Still, he's scored three touchdowns in a game twice already, and one more would push him into double digits for the season. Klatt wavered on his pick but ultimately went with Hardy, calling him "the type of guy" that brings balance to Missouri's offense alongside quarterback Beau Pribula.
Joel Klatt shared: “Ahmad Hardy at Missouri, been tremendous. Hardy leads the Power Four in rushing in his first season at Missouri. He’s got five straight 100-yard games before that ‘Bama game. He was not great against ‘Bama, probably prevents me from picking him here, but maybe I will. I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see. This is the type of guy, though, that allows them to be balanced with Beau Pribula.”
Next up, Justice Haynes from Michigan has also been a standout. His 2025 numbers include 95 carries for 705 yards and 8 touchdowns. Like Hardy, Haynes opened the season with five straight games over 100 rushing yards, a streak snapped in his recent outing where he managed about 50 yards and didn't find the end zone for the first time this year. Klatt praises him as a "big-play threat," highlighting his five runs over 40 yards—which means explosive bursts that can change the game in an instant, keeping defenses on their toes.
Joel Klatt remarked: “Justice Haynes at Michigan has been tremendous. I know he got banged up against USC, but he’s a big-play threat this year for Michigan. He’s got five runs of over 40 yards, so Justice Haynes has been clearly one of the five best backs in college football.”
And this is the part most people miss: Injuries can derail a season, but they also reveal a player's true grit and a team's depth. Could an unexpected comeback shift the entire award race?
Waymond Jordan of USC rounds out the top three, though his season has hit a rough patch. With 88 carries for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns, Jordan was averaging over 100 yards per game before a serious injury sidelined him for four to six weeks, requiring surgery on his ankle. Despite not matching the pure stats of others, Klatt still saw fit to include him on the midseason watch list, noting his potential and the disruption his absence caused against Michigan.
Joel Klatt explained: “Jordan’s averaging over 100 per game. He got hurt, obviously, against Michigan, but he was on his way to another 100. And really that disrupted what they needed to do against USC (sic). Unfortunately he’s going to be out four to six weeks. He’s got a tightrope surgery on that ankle. So hopefully he can get healthy and get back in the lineup for Michigan (sic). They’ll certainly miss him this week when they take on Washington (sic)."
Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame brings a different dimension to the list. Beyond his rushing stats of 100 carries for 530 yards and 8 touchdowns, he adds value in the passing game with 14 catches for 160 yards and 3 touchdowns—a total of 11 touchdowns in his last five games. For those new to the sport, this versatility means Love isn't just a runner; he's a receiver too, making defenses guess and opening up plays for the team. His impact has helped Notre Dame rebound from a 0-2 start into playoff contention, giving him big stages ahead to shine.
Joel Klatt noted: “Jeremiyah Love for Notre Dame has got to get included in these lists, because after a slow start against Miami he’s now at 115 scrimmage yards per game. He’s got 11 total touchdowns over his last five. He’s a dominant player. And when they lean into that balance, he makes them better and he makes CJ Carr better, their quarterback, who’s been tremendous as a freshman, probably one of the best freshman in the country. So Love is in the top five.”
Finally, Jonah Coleman from Washington caps the list with his dual-threat prowess. His rushing stats stand at 96 carries for 518 yards and 11 touchdowns, complemented by 20 catches for 243 yards and 1 touchdown. Like Love, Coleman's receiving ability— including a 100-yard receiving game and an eight-catch outing—makes him unpredictable and boosts Washington's offensive variety. Klatt calls him "electric," especially considering the challenges from an injured offensive line.
Joel Klatt said: “Again, no one’s paying attention to Washington, but Jonah Coleman at Washington has been outstanding. He’s fifth in the country in scrimmage yards. He leads the FBS in touchdowns with 12, so he’s got a nose for the goal line. And when you watch him play, he is electric. I really love what Jonah Coleman does, and he’s been doing it behind an offensive line that’s been banged up for the most part. Lost their really good left tackle, they’ll be without that left tackle for this weekend’s game against Michigan. So Coleman is in the top five.”
These selections highlight the depth and excitement in college football's running back ranks. But is Klatt spot on, or does the award deserve a shake-up? For instance, some might argue that versatility and team impact outweigh raw stats—think of how Love's all-around game could redefine the "best" back. Others wonder if under-the-radar stars from smaller conferences could crash the party. What do you think—should Hardy claim the trophy, or is there a sleeper ready to surprise us? Do injuries change your view on who'll shine by season's end? Drop your opinions in the comments and let's debate!
