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Oklahoma RB Jovantae Barnes Lands on Doak Walker Award Watch List

Barnes was the Sooners' second-leading rusher last year behind Eric Gray when he ran for 500 yards and five TDs as a true freshman.

Ryan Chapman

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After a breakout freshman season, Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes is getting national recognition.

The sophomore playmaker was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, it was announced on Wednesday.

Each season, the Doak Walker Award is given to the best running back in college football who is in good academic standing.

Barnes wasted no time making his presence felt in Norman last year. As a true freshman, he carried the ball 116 times, totaling 519 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.

Now healthier headed into 2023, Barnes is looking to take on an even larger role in Oklahoma’s offense after Eric Gray’s departure to the NFL Draft. 

The Walker Award is the latest of 16 watch lists this preseason to be revealed by the National College Football Awards Association.

For the first time in 2023, the NCFAA will package and brand national players of the week as 12 awards are set to unveil weekly honors each Tuesday this season. The first announcements will come on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The NCFAA's annual showcase, The Home Depot College Football Awards, will air live on ESPN in early December with the exact date to be announced shortly.

The preseason watch lists for 2023 with OU players who have been nominated: 

NCFAA Watch Lists

  • Mon., July 31: Maxwell Award (top player; Dillon Gabriel)
  • Tue., Aug 1: Outland Trophy (top lineman) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player; Danny Stutsman)
  • Wed., Aug. 2: Lou Groza Award (kicker) and Ray Guy Award (punter; Luke Elzinga)
  • Thu., Aug. 3: Paul Hornung Award (all-purpose) and Wuerffel Trophy (citizenship; Ethan Downs)
  • Fri., Aug. 4: Mackey Award (tight end; Austin Stogner) and Rimington Trophy (center)
  • Mon., Aug. 7: Biletnikoff Award (receiver)
  • Tue., Aug. 8: Davey O'Brien Award (quarterback; Dillon Gabriel)
  • Wed., Aug. 9: Doak Walker Award (running back; Jovantae Barnes)
  • Thu., Aug. 10: Butkus Award (linebacker) and Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back)
  • Fri., Aug. 11: Walter Camp Award (top player)
  • Mon., Aug. 14: Bednarik Award (defensive player)
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Ryan Chapman
RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City. Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more. Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com. Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters. Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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