Temple University Athletics
Three Owls Named to 2025 Doak Walker Award Candidate List
8.5.25 | Football
DALLAS – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum released today the preseason candidates for the 2025 Doak Walker Award. This award is presented to the nation's most outstanding college running back. Three Temple Owls made this year's preseason list: Jay Ducker, Terrez Worthy, and Joquez Smith.
Ducker is a redshirt senior running back transferring to 10th and Diamond from Sam Houston alongside Temple head coach K.C. Keeler. In 2024, Ducker rushed for a team-high 745 total yards and seven touchdowns. Ducker has previously played in the AAC during his collegiate career as he spent 2021-2023 as a member of the Memphis Tigers.
Worthy enters 2025 making a big impact last season for the Owls. The senior made his Temple debut last year against Oklahoma and served as the team's primary kickoff returner. Worthy's breakout game came against UConn where he tallied 12 carries for 95 yards, including bursts of 35, 22, 17, and 12-yards. Against Tulane, he rushed his longest play of his career when he took a handoff 75-yards for a touchdown.
Smith comes into 2025 as a junior in his third season at 10th and Diamond. Smith saw action in 10 games last season, earning the starting job in week one against Oklahoma. In the season finale against North Texas, Smith had his best game on the ground. He had a season-high 22-yard run and scored a touchdown against the Mean Green.
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 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.
Ducker is a redshirt senior running back transferring to 10th and Diamond from Sam Houston alongside Temple head coach K.C. Keeler. In 2024, Ducker rushed for a team-high 745 total yards and seven touchdowns. Ducker has previously played in the AAC during his collegiate career as he spent 2021-2023 as a member of the Memphis Tigers.
Worthy enters 2025 making a big impact last season for the Owls. The senior made his Temple debut last year against Oklahoma and served as the team's primary kickoff returner. Worthy's breakout game came against UConn where he tallied 12 carries for 95 yards, including bursts of 35, 22, 17, and 12-yards. Against Tulane, he rushed his longest play of his career when he took a handoff 75-yards for a touchdown.
Smith comes into 2025 as a junior in his third season at 10th and Diamond. Smith saw action in 10 games last season, earning the starting job in week one against Oklahoma. In the season finale against North Texas, Smith had his best game on the ground. He had a season-high 22-yard run and scored a touchdown against the Mean Green.
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 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.
Players Mentioned
Ep. 6: Temple Athletics Weekly Recap; Field Hockey's Peyton Rieger
Tuesday, September 23
Evan Simon, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
Eric Stuart, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
K.C. Keeler, 9/20/25
Sunday, September 21
