Doak Walker Award betting odds: Ollie Gordon tabbed as favorite entering 2024 season

Ahead of the 2024 season’s start, betting odds for the Doak Walker Award have been released by FanDuel. Every year, the Doak Walker Award is given out to the top running back in college football.

Unsurprisingly, Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon enters the year as the favorite. He took home the honors last season and returns for another campaign in Stillwater with high expectations.

Below him are players scattered throughout the country. On paper, it appears to be a great crop of running backs in the sport. Check out the 20 players with the best odds to take home the Doak Walker Award list.

Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State (+340)

Gordon was named the Doak Walker Award winner last season and is now the favorite to take the trophy home once again. Three players have won on back-to-back occasions, with Wisconsin‘s Jonathan Taylor being the latest.

Oklahoma State is one of the favorites to win the Big 12 this season. If they are going to hoist the trophy in Arlington, Gordon will be carrying quite the load.

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (+430)

No matter his location, Judkins was going to be on this list. Transferring from Ole Miss to Ohio State only helped his cause though, potentially having a superstar-type season with the Buckeyes.

Judkins is just one of two backs Ohio State plans to feature this season. But most of the explosiveness is expected to come from Judkins, especially in Ryan Day and Chip Kelly‘s offense.

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (+750)

Of the names in the top 20, Jeanty is the only player to be on a Group of Five team. The 2023 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year remained with the Broncos and is primed for another season.

Jeanty ran for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns on 220 carries last year, averaging over six yards per carry. Boise State will use him in the pass game too, with 569 yards and five touchdowns being added through the air.

Damien Martinez, Miami (+1200)

Miami made one of the biggest portal splashes in the spring, getting Martinez to join the squad. A huge bolster to the run game, his number could be called quite often by the Hurricanes.

Martinez quietly had two great seasons out West with Oregon State, rushing for over 2,000 yards. The same will be needed if Miami is going to have the type of season they hope to.

Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (+1500)

No longer does North Carolina have Drake Maye under center. Someone needs to take over as the offense’s focal point and Hampton should be that guy.

Even with the No. 2 overall pick at quarterback, Hampton was good enough to surpass 1,500 yards last season — fifth in the country. More carries should be coming his way as he looks to run all over ACC defenses.

Jaydn Ott, Cal (+1500)

Last year’s leading rusher in the Pac-12 will now have an ACC badge on his uniform. Ott projects as one of the best backs in the country and lands at No. 6 on the odds list.

Traveling will be a big part of Cal’s season story moving forward. If there is one thing the Golden Bears should be able to rely on, no matter their location, it’s handing Ott the ball.

Donovan Edwards, Michigan (+2000)

Edwards no longer has a partner in crime to play with. Blake Corum is now in the NFL and Edwards once again becomes the feature back.

Michigan underwent coaching changes but should not see any difference in style. Sherrone Moore is still going to want to run through teams, handing the ball off to Edwards

Devin Neal, Kansas (+2600)

If anybody can compete with Gordon for the title of ‘Best running back in the Big 12’, it’s Neal. Part of an electric rushing attack in Lawrence, Neal is giving it one more go with the Jayhawks.

Transfer rumors were out there during the offseason but Neal is sticking with the hometown program. Now, he hopes his performances can bring Kansas to heights they have not seen in years.

Jordan James, Oregon (+2600)

A lot of hype surrounding Oregon has come through the passing attack. Adding Dillon Gabriel and Evan Stewart will do so, with many wondering what OC Will Stein can scheme up through the air.

However, James was one of the Pac-12’s leading rushers last season, averaging over seven yards per carry. Plenty of touches will come his way, especially if Oregon is attempting to run out clocks with leads.

Treveyon Henderson, Ohio State (+2600)

Pt. 2 of the Ohio State two-headed monster, Henderson has experience inside the program. He enters his fourth season of college football with just over 2,700 yards to his name.

Injuries have been a problem, only playing in 18 of 26 games the past two years. But sharing carries with Judkins should do wonders for Henderson and once again make him a top back.

Doak Walker Award odds: No. 11-20

Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech (+2600)
Phil Mafah, Clemson (+3100)
Ulysses Bentley IV, Ole Miss (+3400)
Trevor Etienne, Georgia (+3400)
DJ Giddens, Kansas State (+3400)
RJ Harvey, UCF (+3400)
Jaydon Blue, Texas (+3400)
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (+4800)
Jo’quavious Marks, USC (+4800)
Jonah Coleman, Washington (+6000)