DALLAS - Fresno State sophomore running back Bryson Donelson has been added to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, announced by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday. Donelson is one of four running backs from the Mountain West selected to the preseason watch list for the award that recognizes the nation's most outstanding college running back.
As a true freshman in 2024, Donelson appeared in 12 games and earned three starts. He totaled 462 rushing yards with three touchdowns on 77 carries.
His highlight performance came against Colorado State, rushing for 140 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in the Mountain West finale last season. His performance that week earned him the MW Freshman of the Week honor. With 140 yards on the ground. He recorded the most rushing yards in a game by a true freshman running back since Ryan Mathews in 2007.
Donelson proved his potential for an impact on the offense as the year went on, leading the team in rushing yards in the final three games of the season. He saw his first multi-score game against NIU in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, finishing the game with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, along with three receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown through the air.
This is the first career recognition by the award for Donelson.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and 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 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.
The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week. University athletic departments nominate candidates for the award and can continue to do so through October.