Washington State RB Nakia Watson named to Doak Walker Award watch list

Aug. 9, 2023 Updated Wed., Aug. 9, 2023 at 9:29 p.m.

By Greg Woods gregw@spokesman.com (509) 459-5587

PULLMAN – Watch list season remains alive and well around Washington State.

The Cougars’ newest honor goes to running back Nakia Watson, who has been named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which goes to the nation’s top running back.

Watson earned the honor after a sterling 2022 season that included 144 carries for 769 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. His 13 total scores ranked ninth in the Pac-12, and his 96.7 average all-purpose yards ranked seventh, as did his 69.9 rushing yards per game .

That helped Watson earn All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors at the end of his redshirt junior season . He also had three games of 100 yards rushing, and he ranked third in the conference with 10 runs of 20-plus yards.

Award semifinalists will be revealed in November, which will be followed by the reveal of three finalists.

The winner will be named in December.

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