As a player on the Maxwell Award watch list, it was only a matter of time that Jerome Smith would be an early candidate for the Doak Walker Award.

Smith, who led Syracuse with 1,171 rushing yards last season, was one of 63 running backs named to the Doak Walker Award watch list on Thursday. He is one of four running backs from the Atlantic Coast Conference on the list.

The Doak Walker Award is handed out annually to the nation’s best running back. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 14, followed by the finalists on Nov. 25 and the winner on Dec. 12. Former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball took home the award last season.

In addition to the Maxwell and Doak Walker honors, Smith was also named preseason first-team All-ACC by Athlon Sports and second-team all-conference by Phil Steele.