UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior Carson Hansen and junior James Peoples were tabbed to the Doak Walker Award watch list on Tuesday.
The Doak Walker Award, presented by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum, is annually given to the nation’s most outstanding college running back.
Carson Hansen · Sr. · RB · 6-2 · 220 · Lakeville, Minn. · Lakeville South · Iowa State
- Named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List in 2025.
- Selected Academic All-Big 12 in 2024 and Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team in 2023.
- Has played in 38 games and made 17 starts.
- In his career, has collected 1,771 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 361 carries, while adding 43 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns.
- Has seven career games with 2+ rushing touchdowns, sixth-most at Iowa State since 1995.
- Has six career 100-yard rushing games.
- Ended the 2025 season with five-consecutive 100-yard rushing games.
- Rushed for 952 yards and six touchdowns while adding 19 catches for 134 yards in 2025.
- Had two games with multiple rushing touchdowns.
James Peoples · Jr. · RB · 5-10 · 204 · San Antonio, Texas · Veterans Memorial · Ohio State
- Has played in 22 career games.
- Has rushed for 541 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.
- Added 11 catches for 48 yards.
- In 2025, gained 344 yards on 61 carries and scored three touchdowns.
- Contributed 10 catches for 50 yards and a 20-yard kick return.
- Rushed for 59 yards on eight carries against Grambling (9/6).
- Gained 47 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 11 yards against Ohio (9/13).
- Tallied 59 yards on seven carries against Minnesota (10/4).
- Rushed for 42 yards and scored two touchdowns against UCLA (11/15).
- Collected 55 rushing yards and a touchdown on three carries against Rutgers (11/22).
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November and three finalists will be announced in late November. The winner for the Doak Walker Award will be announced live during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 11.
Nittany Lions On Award Watch Lists
Ryan Barker - Groza
Rocco Becht - Maxwell
Benjamin Brahmer - Lombardi, Mackey
Gabe Burkle - Mackey
Cooper Cousins - Wuerffel Trophy
Kooper Ebel - Butkus
Carson Hansen - Doak Walker
James Peoples - Doak Walker
Brock Riker - Rimington Trophy
Tony Rojas - Lott IMPACT Trophy
Blaise Sokach-Minnick - Mannelly
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.