Doak Walker Award Futures: Ole Miss Star Quinshon Judkins The Favorite

Many, many big names have won the Doak Walker Award in the past. We’re talking players that turned into stars at the NFL level. Derrick Henry, Melvin Gordon, Kenneth Walker III, Jonathan Taylor, and most recently, Bijan Robinson, who is heading into his rookie year with the Atlanta Falcons. Ahead of the 2023 college football season, there are some very intriguing guys who are expected to contend for the award, headlined by Quinshon Judkins. Keep reading for the betting preview if you want to put money down on the Doak Walker Award futures.

Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss

Judkins is a +500 frontrunner at Bodog, which is well deserved. The Ole Miss running back was one of the best around in 2022 in his freshman year, finishing with a total of 1,567 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns for an average of 5.7 yards per carry. Video game numbers. Oh, and did we mention he was seventh in the country in total yards on the ground? He was also a semifinalist for the award before Blake Corum and Chase Brown surged past him. Heading into this sophomore campaign, there is no question Judkins is going to be a beast again. The question is, can the Rebels be good enough in the SEC for Judkins to potentially win this award? Only time will tell. 

Is Quinshon Judkins the best RB in the SEC? 🤔

Top 3 performances last season as a true freshman:

- 24car, 214yds, 1 TD (@ Arkansas)
- 34car, 205yds, 1 TD (@ TX A&M)
- 25car, 135yds, 2 TDs (v Bama)

Ole Miss' offense is going to must-watch TV this season 🤩#OleMiss #SEC… pic.twitter.com/cBvW8VZySf

— Next Up with Adam Breneman (@NextUpWithAdam) August 11, 2023

Raheim Sanders, Arkansas

Over to another SEC running back. Raheim Sanders showed out for Arkansas in 2022 in his sophomore campaign, rushing for a total of 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns. Perhaps the most impressive part is Sanders ran for more than six yards per carry. His best game against Ole Miss, actually outplaying Judkins with 232 yards rushing and three touchdowns en route to a big win for the Razorbacks. Sanders sits at +700 at most NCAA betting sites to win the Doak Walker Award. 

Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Nicholas Singleton was a force as a freshman in 22’, finishing as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and making the second All-Big Ten Team. That wasn’t a surprise though considering the numbers. Singleton ran for 1,056 yards and 12 touchdowns and nearly seven yards per carry. Dominant. With Sean Clifford now in the NFL, there’s a good chance Penn State runs the ball a lot. That means more opportunities for Singleton. 

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Another Big Ten running back. Braelon Allen is the main man for the Badgers and has posted back-to-back 1,200+ yard rushing seasons. Consistent as can be. He also has more than 20 touchdowns on the ground across the last two years. Expect Allen to be great again ahead of what should be his draft year. 

Braelon Allen officially named 2nd Team AP All-American✅ pic.twitter.com/cYTPlkt95V

— IKE Badgers Podcast (@IKE_Badgers) August 21, 2023

Blake Corum, Michigan

The odds might not be great for Blake Corum, but he cannot be overlooked. The Michigan standout was a finalist for the Doak Walker last year as previously mentioned before tearing his ACL late in the season, which resulted in him actually staying with the Wolverines rather than making the NFL jump. 2022 was definitely his breakout campaign, running for a career-best 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is a stud. Corum will undoubtedly be in the mix for this award.