Ollie Gordon on Doak Walker Award Watch List as Returning Winner

Of course the returning winner of an award is on the watch list to win it again.

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon on Tuesday was on the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list. Gordon last year became the first Cowboy to ever win the award, which is given to the best running back in the country.

The watch list included 12 running backs from the Big 12 counting Gordon.

“The Big 12 is a conference of ground and pounding the ball, running the ball, who’s gonna stop the run,” Gordon said at Big 12 Media Days. “That’s how you win games in the Big 12. …

“I feel the Big 12 is where the great backs come from.”

Gordon led the nation in rushing yards (1,732), yards from scrimmage (2,062) and 100-yard games (9) last season as a sophomore. He was second in rushing touchdowns with 21. On top of winning the Doak Walker, Gordon was also named Big 12 Offensive Player of the year and was an unanimous All-American.

Watch list season has been a busy time for the Gordon name. He’s already been included on preseason watch lists for Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Maxwell Award. He was also honored as Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

The three finalists for the award will be revealed in November with the winner being announced Dec. 12 at The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. If Gordon were to win it again, he’d be only the third to do so (and second Gordon to) after Melvin Gordon and Ricky Williams.