Maryland football RB DeJuan Williams becomes latest tabbed to preseason watch list

Aug 18

2 min read

Maryland football added another to its preseason watch list on Tuesday.

Running back DeJuan Williams was named to the 2026 Doak Walker Watch List, becoming the seventh Terp to be recognized on a preseason watch list excluding the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List. The selection for the Baltimore natives comes as he is set to step into a feature role as the lead back ahead of his third season with the team.

The Baltimore native proved himself as a receiving threat in 2025 after his 426 yards surpassed Bruce Perry’s program record for the most receiving yards in a season by a running back, while his 45 catches marked the most in a season by a Maryland running back since Allen Williams notched 51 in 1994. His 927 all-purpose yards led all skill players in 2025, though he also ended the season without registering more than 70 rushing yards in a game as he and Nolan Ray, now at Boston College, split the bulk of the carries.

It marked the first full season for Williams after he arrived in College Park in Jan 2024 recovering from a torn ACL that sidelined him for his senior year at St. Frances as head coach Mike Locksley noted the redshirt sophomore is “finally catching his stride” ahead of 2026.

As the offensive line looks to prove its more efficient run game when Hampton arrives in College Park on Sept. 5, Williams will be a big part of that solution in a unit that will also include Iverson Howard, Harry Dalton and Terrez Worthy while offensive coordinator Clint Trickett and head coach Mike Locksley pointed to Malik Washington’s ability to use his legs in 2026.

2026 Awards

Doak Walker Award: RB DeJuan Williams

Ray Guy Award: punter Bryce McFerson

Butkus Award Watch List: LB Daniel Wingate

Wuerffel Trophy Award Watch List: QB Malik Washington

Lou Groza Award: K Sean O’Haire

Rimington Trophy Award: IOL Michael Hershey

John Mackey Award: TE Dorian Fleming

Bronko Nagurski Trophy: LB Daniel Wingate

Shrine Bowl 1000: DB Amari Jackson, DB Jamare Glasker, LB Daniel Wingate, OL Tellek Lockette, OL Isaiah Wright, OL Rahtrel Perry, P Bryce McFerson, DB Lavain Scruggs, TE Dorian Fleming

Related Links