Following one of the best seasons by a running back in UCF history, RJ Harvey has been named to the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Tuesday. Presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding college running back, Harvey was a semifinalist for the honor last season.
The Orlando native is one of six semifinalists from 2023 to garner the preseason recognition in advance of the 2024 campaign.
Harvey’s historic season saw him rush for 1,416 rushing yards to become the first Knights running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Greg McCrae in 2018. His 16 rushing touchdowns tied for second in a single season at UCF and only five FBS players scored more regular-season rushing touchdowns.
He tallied five consecutive 100-yard rushing games from the Kansas to the Oklahoma State games, becoming just the second running back in program history to accomplish the feat in as many games, joining UCF Hall of Famer Kevin Smith. Over his last eight games, he rushed for 1,038 yards to end the season. Harvey garnered Phil Steele Second Team All-Big 12 honors last year following the season.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 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 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.
The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the week.