DALLAS (SMU) – SMU senior running back Kendrick Raphael was named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List on Monday.
 
Raphael looks to build off a breakout campaign for Cal in 2025. While there, he finished third in the ACC in 2025 in rushing touchdowns (13) and total touchdowns (14), with career highs in his 13 rushing scores tied for ninth on Cal's all-time single-season list.
 
The impact back led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally in rushes (232), while he finished fifth in the conference in yards rushing (943), both career highs.  He was an All-ACC Honorable Mention selection after posting 1,084 all-purpose yards to go along with a double-digit touchdown season.
 
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 2026 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 10, 2026. 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.