USC running back Woody Marks was selected to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, today (Aug. 6). The PwC SMU Athletic Forum annually presents the award to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
Marks, a skilled running back who transferred to USC in the spring of 2024 from Mississippi State, looks to be an impact player in Trojan backfield as a redshirt senior.
In his 4-year career at Mississippi State (2020-23), he recorded 410 carries for 1,883 yards (4.6 avg.) with a long of 52 yards and 22 TDs. He also tallied 214 receptions for 1,225 yards (4.8 avg.) with a long of 32 and 5 TDs. On special teams, he had 11 kickoff returns for 231 yards (21.0 avg.) with a long of 33 yards. He also recorded 7 tackles. He appeared in 45 games with 32 starts. He missed just one contest in his career (vs Bowling Green, Sept. 24, 2022). Marks has recorded at least 1 reception in every game of his collegiate career. He was the first in MSU history with 214 career receptions, and also has the most receiving yards by a running back (1,225) in Mississippi State history. He holds the MSU record for consecutive games with a catch (45), which is the longest active streak nationally.
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 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 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.