The PwC SMU Athletic Forum has unveiled its preseason watch list for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, highlighting a standout talent from the Ole Miss Rebels.
Preseason Candidate Spotlight
Kewan Lacy, a Dallas native and senior running back for Ole Miss, has been selected as a preseason candidate for the prestigious award that honors the nation’s most outstanding collegiate back.
In the 2025 season, Lacy set new program records with 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, earning first‑team All‑American honors and placements on the Walter Camp, ESPN, On3, Athlon and Phil Steele first‑team All‑America lists.
His performance also secured first‑team all‑conference recognition from multiple outlets and placed him among the finalists for the award at the close of the previous season.
Beyond the Doak Walker conversation, Lacy has been featured on the preseason watch lists for the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards, underscoring the breadth of his national acclaim.
The Rebels will open the 2026 campaign on September 6 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, facing the Louisville Cardinals in a highly anticipated matchup.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum’s Board of Directors plans to announce ten semifinalists in November, with the ultimate winner to be revealed on December 10 during the Home Depot College Football Awards show.
Lacy’s rise reflects not only personal excellence but also the growing prominence of Ole Miss football, which reached the College Football Playoff semifinals the previous season.