Three Colorado running backs named to 2023 Doak Walker watch list

A trio of CU Buffs made the list of the nation's top running backs. Alton McCaskill, Kavosiey Smoke, and Sy’veon Wilkerson were named as 2023 Doak Walker Award pre-season candidates on Wednesday.

All three transfered into Boulder, and each brings a unique set of skills to the position. McCaskill, who came from Houston, celebrated a 1,000-yard season as AAC Rookie of the Year two years ago. He missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from an ACL tear.

Smoke has SEC experience coming from Kentucky and has been showing off his strength by throwing up big numbers in the weight room. He's one of the few backs to watch for with a great combination of agility and speed. Smoke was underutilized with the Wildcats but managed to collect 13 TDs over the past four years.

Wilkerson followed Coach Prime to Colorado from Jackson State, where he put up 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns last year. The former West Virginia walk-on earned All-SWAC honors in his only year for the Tigers. He received a lot of interest from other Power Five schools before committing to CU.

The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Since 1990, it has been the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Colorado's Rashaan Salaam picked up the Doak Walker in 1994. The same year as his illustrious Heisman Trophy win. He's the only winner of both awards in CU history.

The recipient of the 2023 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards.