Nixon, Willis Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List
8/5/2025 5:50:00 PM | Football
Syracuse redshirt senior Will Nixon and sophomore Yasin Willis are preseason candidates for the 2025 Doak Walker Award as announced by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum on Tuesday, August 5. The Doak Walker Award recognizes the top running back in the nation.
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In his first season with the Orange in 2024, Nixon played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He had 19 carries for 76 yards and four catches for 44 yards on the season. Nixon came to Syracuse from Washington, where he finished second on the squad in rushing in 2023, helping the Huskies to the PAC-12 title and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
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Willis played in 11 games in his rookie campaign. He carried the ball 36 times for 130 yards and caught eight passes for 26 yards. In addition, Willis returned 10 kickoffs for 112 yards.
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The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November. 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 Dec. 12, 2025.
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In his first season with the Orange in 2024, Nixon played in three games before suffering a season-ending injury. He had 19 carries for 76 yards and four catches for 44 yards on the season. Nixon came to Syracuse from Washington, where he finished second on the squad in rushing in 2023, helping the Huskies to the PAC-12 title and the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
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Willis played in 11 games in his rookie campaign. He carried the ball 36 times for 130 yards and caught eight passes for 26 yards. In addition, Willis returned 10 kickoffs for 112 yards.
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The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November. 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 Dec. 12, 2025.
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