LeQuint Allen Jr. named to Doak Walker Award preseason watch list

8/9/2023
Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football running back LeQuint Allen Jr. has been named to the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list.
Allen is one of 76 players to make this list. This is the third-straight year the Orange has had a player named to the preseason watch list for the award, as Sean Tucker was listed in both 2021 and 2022.
Eight other ACC running backs made the cut, including former SU player Jawhar Jordan, who will be the starter at Louisville. Others include Florida State’s Trey Benson, Pittsburgh’s Rodney Hammond Jr. and Clemson’s Will Shipley.
Allen was a backup to Tucker last season as a true freshman. He showed flashes of promise in appearances against Wagner, when he had a 90-yard run, and Wake Forest, when he showed he’s a triple threat.
His real breakout game, though, was the Pinstripe Bowl. Allen rushed for 94 yards on 15 carries and also had 60 receiving yards on 11 catches.
Allen has missed the beginning of fall camp due to a settlement that resolved a lawsuit filed against Syracuse University in late June to overturn a season-long suspension. He is expected to return Aug. 12.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum, which presents the Doak Walker Award, will name 10 semifinalists in November, and three finalists will be selected by the award’s selection committee later in the month.
Another vote by the selection committee in December will determine the winner, who will be announced at the College Football Awards on Dec. 7.