Gaines Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List
8/5/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State running back Sire Gaines was tabbed to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced. The award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding running back. Last season, Ashton Jeanty became the first player in program history to receive the award.
Gaines is one of two redshirt freshmen on the watch list, joined by SMU's Derrick McFall. This is the sixth-straight season Boise State has been represented on the watch list. Jeanty was featured in 2024, with George Holani earning a spot each season from 2020-23.
Last season, Gaines ran for 156 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries before suffering a season-ending injury in the third game. He also had 44 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches. In the Broncos' season-opening win at Georgia Southern, he ran the ball 12 times for 110 yards, becoming the eighth player in Mountain West history to run for 110+ yards in his collegiate debut.
Gaines was named MW Freshman of the Week following his performance at Georgia Southern, which featured a 38-yard touchdown run and 17-yard scoring reception. Athlon Sports and Phil Steele tabbed him Preseason All-MW First Team entering the 2025 campaign.
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 36th Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, December 11.
Broncos on 2025 Watch Lists
S Ty Benefield (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
OL Kage Casey (Outland Trophy)
RB Sire Gaines (Doak Walker Award)
LS Mason Hutton (Patrick Mannelly Award)
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award)
CB A'Marion McCoy (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
LB Marco Notarainni (Wuerffel Trophy)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy)
--BroncoSports.com--
Gaines is one of two redshirt freshmen on the watch list, joined by SMU's Derrick McFall. This is the sixth-straight season Boise State has been represented on the watch list. Jeanty was featured in 2024, with George Holani earning a spot each season from 2020-23.
Last season, Gaines ran for 156 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries before suffering a season-ending injury in the third game. He also had 44 receiving yards and a touchdown on three catches. In the Broncos' season-opening win at Georgia Southern, he ran the ball 12 times for 110 yards, becoming the eighth player in Mountain West history to run for 110+ yards in his collegiate debut.
Gaines was named MW Freshman of the Week following his performance at Georgia Southern, which featured a 38-yard touchdown run and 17-yard scoring reception. Athlon Sports and Phil Steele tabbed him Preseason All-MW First Team entering the 2025 campaign.
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 36th Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, December 11.
Broncos on 2025 Watch Lists
S Ty Benefield (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
OL Kage Casey (Outland Trophy)
RB Sire Gaines (Doak Walker Award)
LS Mason Hutton (Patrick Mannelly Award)
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award)
CB A'Marion McCoy (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
LB Marco Notarainni (Wuerffel Trophy)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy)
--BroncoSports.com--
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