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Vaughn Blue Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List
8/18/2026 9:00:00 AM | Football
Senior running back Vaughn Blue is named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, presented annually to college football’s most outstanding running back.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan senior running Vaughn Blue has been named to the preseason Watch List for the 2026 Doak Walker Award, presented annually by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum, the awards committee announced on Monday. He becomes the first Chippewa named to the Watch List for the Doak Walker award since Marion Lukes in 2024.
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 10, 2026. 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.
Prior to spring drills, Blue transferred to Central Michigan from Liberty, where he played three seasons. In his 28-game career at Liberty, Blue rushed for 557 yards on 101 carries with three touchdowns, a long run of 45 yards, and finished with 19 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored five total touchdowns in three years.
Central Michigan opens its 2026 football season at New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT. The Chippewas will host six home games, including five on Saturdays in September and October.
Season tickets can be purchased or renewed online at Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com at this link, by calling the CMU Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045 or by e-mail at ticketcentral@cmich.edu. Advance single-game tickets are also now available. It is less expensive to purchase single game tickets in advance as ticket prices rise on game day.
The Chippewas will play six home games at Kramer/Deromedi Field, including five early-season contests scheduled for September and October. Click here to access the 2026 schedule.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S 2026 PRESEASON AWARDS RECIPIENTS
PRESEASON MAC PREDICTIONS
3rd place – Athlon Magazine
4th place – Lindy's Magazine
5th place – MAC coaches
5th place – ESPN.com
5th place – The Sporting News
6th place – Phil Steele Magazine
DOAK WALKER AWARD WATCH LIST
Vaughn Blue, RB
ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
WUERFFEL TROPHY NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK ALL-MAC
First Team: Donavan Philord, DB
Second Team: Langston Lewis, WR; Jacob Booth, OL; Justin Taylor, DB
Third Team: Jayden Clerveaux, RB; Brady Ploucha, OL
LINDY'S PRESEASON ALL-MAC
MAC Best Hands: Langston Lewis, WR
Second Team: Brock Townsend, RB; Langston Lewis, WR
ATHLON SPORTS MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Langston Lewis, WR
Second Team: Jacob Russell, OL; Korver Demma, DL; Jaion Jackson, CB
Third Team: Vaughn Blue, RB; Jacob Booth, OL
Fourth Team: Brock Townsend, RB; Martin Koivisto, OL; Quavion Bird, DL; Xavier White, LB; Declan Duley, P
PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
Second Team: Langston Lewis, WR
Third Team: Jacob Russell, OL; Jacob Booth, OL; JJ Douglas, DE; Jaion Jackson, CB
Fourth Team: Vaughn Blue, RB; Martin Koivisto, OL; Korver Demma, DE; Xavier White, LB; Declan Duley, P
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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 10, 2026. 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.
Prior to spring drills, Blue transferred to Central Michigan from Liberty, where he played three seasons. In his 28-game career at Liberty, Blue rushed for 557 yards on 101 carries with three touchdowns, a long run of 45 yards, and finished with 19 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored five total touchdowns in three years.
Central Michigan opens its 2026 football season at New Mexico on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10 p.m. ET/8 p.m. MT. The Chippewas will host six home games, including five on Saturdays in September and October.
Season tickets can be purchased or renewed online at Ticket Central at www.cmuchippewas.com at this link, by calling the CMU Ticket Office at (989) 774-3045 or by e-mail at ticketcentral@cmich.edu. Advance single-game tickets are also now available. It is less expensive to purchase single game tickets in advance as ticket prices rise on game day.
The Chippewas will play six home games at Kramer/Deromedi Field, including five early-season contests scheduled for September and October. Click here to access the 2026 schedule.
CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S 2026 PRESEASON AWARDS RECIPIENTS
PRESEASON MAC PREDICTIONS
3rd place – Athlon Magazine
4th place – Lindy's Magazine
5th place – MAC coaches
5th place – ESPN.com
5th place – The Sporting News
6th place – Phil Steele Magazine
DOAK WALKER AWARD WATCH LIST
Vaughn Blue, RB
ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
WUERFFEL TROPHY NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY NOMINEE
Angel Flores, QB
PRO FOOTBALL NETWORK ALL-MAC
First Team: Donavan Philord, DB
Second Team: Langston Lewis, WR; Jacob Booth, OL; Justin Taylor, DB
Third Team: Jayden Clerveaux, RB; Brady Ploucha, OL
LINDY'S PRESEASON ALL-MAC
MAC Best Hands: Langston Lewis, WR
Second Team: Brock Townsend, RB; Langston Lewis, WR
ATHLON SPORTS MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Langston Lewis, WR
Second Team: Jacob Russell, OL; Korver Demma, DL; Jaion Jackson, CB
Third Team: Vaughn Blue, RB; Jacob Booth, OL
Fourth Team: Brock Townsend, RB; Martin Koivisto, OL; Quavion Bird, DL; Xavier White, LB; Declan Duley, P
PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
Second Team: Langston Lewis, WR
Third Team: Jacob Russell, OL; Jacob Booth, OL; JJ Douglas, DE; Jaion Jackson, CB
Fourth Team: Vaughn Blue, RB; Martin Koivisto, OL; Korver Demma, DE; Xavier White, LB; Declan Duley, P
Follow Central Michigan Football: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
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