Two Penn State RBs Named to Watchlist For Major Award

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Penn State Nittany Lions running back James Peoples and Carson Hansen have been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which is presented to the most outstanding running back in College Football that season.

Peoples and Hansen are both transfer portal additions to Penn State under their new head coach, Matt Campbell. Campbell had a strong 10-year run at Iowa State, finishing with a 72-55 record before the Nittany Lions hired him to replace James Franklin.

The running back room will be pivotal to Penn State having a bounce-back season in 2026. Peoples comes over from the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he had a limited role in his two seasons. In 2024, he rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries.

In the 2025 season, Peoples rushed for 344 yards and three touchdowns on 61 carries while hauling in 10 receptions for 50 yards. He has been an efficient rusher, and in a bigger opportunity with the Nittany Lions, he could have a breakout season.

Hansen will be the other running back that Penn State relies on, as he's following Campbell from Iowa State. He didn't play much in 2023, rushing for 67 yards on 22 carries along with 11 receptions for 115 yards.

In 2024, Hansen stepped into a bigger role on offense, rushing for 752 yards and 13 touchdowns, and catching 13 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Hansen had another good season in 2025, as he had 952 yards and six touchdowns on the ground with 19 receptions for 134 yards.

With the talent of Peoples and Hansen in the backfield, the Nittany Lions offense should be stronger in 2026.

Penn State was expected to be a contender for the National Championship in 2025, but struggled, leading to the firing of Franklin and the hiring of Campbell. 

Campbell has brought in a ton of players in the transfer portal and has recruited talent for the upcoming classes, giving the Nittany Lions hope for a bright future. If Penn State is to have a quick turnaround, they will lean on their backfield of Peoples and Hansen, who are in the mix to win the Doak Walker Award.

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos