The preseason honors continue for Ohio State.
TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams were among 75 players named to a watch list for the Doak Walker Award, an honor presented to the best running back in college football. The Ohio State ball carriers landed on the list with Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards of Michigan, Braelon Allen of Wisconsin, Quinshon Judkins of Ole Miss and Raheim Sanders of Arkansas, among others.
| Best Running Back in College Football
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 9, 2023
@TreVeyonH4 x @okmiyan_ pic.twitter.com/gXYXWSBHj1
Henderson started his Ohio State career as a freshman phenom in 2021, collecting 1,560 total yards and 19 total touchdowns en route to second-team All-Big Ten and freshman All-American honors. Because of that, Henderson entered the 2022 season with lofty expectations. However, he never could live up to them, as a torn ligament in his foot forced him to miss four contests before finally undergoing season-ending surgery. Henderson will look to produce a bounce-back effort for the Buckeyes in 2023.
Williams dealt with ailments of his own in 2022, as bumps, bruises and even illness bothered him throughout Ohio State's 13-game season. Still, Williams had a career year statistically, recording 852 yards, 6.4 yards per attempt and 14 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore. Like Henderson, Williams will look to remain healthy in 2023 and provide the Buckeyes with the physical, north-south running style that has become standard for the Cincinnati native since he arrived in Columbus in 2020.
Henderson and Williams are among 75 running backs named to the Doak Walker Award watch list. The Buckeyes will face six other ball carriers on the list this season, including Corum, Edwards, Allen, Chez Mellusi of Wisconsin, Jaylin Lucas of Indiana and Nick Singleton of Penn State.
The list of running backs will be trimmed down to 10 semifinalists at the start of November. From there, three finalists will be named at the end of November. The Doak Walker Award's winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards in December.
Ohio State Players on Preseason Watch Lists
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award
- WR Emeka Egbuka: Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award, Paul Hornung Award
- G Donovan Jackson: Outland Trophy
- G Matt Jones: Outland Trophy
- DT Mike Hall Jr.: Outland Trophy
- DE JT Tuimoloau: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy
- LB Tommy Eichenberg: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy
- S Lathan Ransom: Bronko Nagurski Trophy
- P Jesse Mirco: Ray Guy Award
- TE Cade Stover: Mackey Award
- RB TreVeyon Henderson: Doak Walker Award
- RB Miyan Williams: Doak Walker Award
