Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II receives Doak Walker Award, eyes repeat with Emmitt Smith

Despite being from Fort Worth, Texas, Ollie Gordon didn't grow up as a Dallas Cowboys fan.

The Oklahoma State running back rooted for the Carolina Panthers because his favorite player, Cam Newton, was the quarterback there from 2011-19 and once again in 2021.

Still, that didn't make Friday any less special. Gordon traveled to SMU's campus in Dallas to officially receive the Doak Walker National Collegiate Running Back Award, which is given annually to the best running back in the nation.

And by his side was former Dallas running back Emmitt Smith, who received the Doak Walker Legends Award.

"Everybody knew Emmitt was the best running back," Gordon said as he laughed. "It means a lot, honestly. This award is a huge award. It goes to the best back. And if you look at the previous years, there have been a bunch of great backs that have won it. ... It's a really fun experience."

More: 'Ollie is for the people': How Ollie Gordon II became the face of Oklahoma State

Gordon rose to national stardom this past season.

The sophomore recorded 285 carries for a nation-leading 1,732 yards and also racked up 22 total touchdowns.

Gordon earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and All-Big 12 first team honors. He was a unanimous All-America selection. He also received the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football from Texas who "also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell."

It's a lot of hardware for Gordon, who's now on Smith's radar. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl champion spoke highly of Gordon as he sat beside him during a joint press conference.

"For him to receive this award, it says a lot about who he is as an individual," Smith said. "Obviously, he's a great football player who's on his way to another level. He has all the tools to take it to the next level."

Gordon isn't just on Smith's radar.

The 20-year-old running back could've entered the transfer portal this offseason and committed to a program with deeper NIL pockets than OSU. But Gordon stuck with the Cowboys, who went 10-4 (7-2 Big 12) last season, made the Big 12 championship game and defeated Texas A&M in the Texas Bowl.

More: Why is Ollie Gordon returning to Oklahoma State football in 2024? 'We gotta make playoffs'

"It's a great program, great coaching staff," Gordon said. "They make me feel like I'm at home. I didn't want to leave.

"Your phone is blowing up (with offers from other schools). But you don't really want to look at it and get too far into it because that's when you start overthinking things. I really just overlooked that and didn't really pay it attention."

Gordon is poised to be one of the top running backs in the nation once again this upcoming season.

And while he has a chance to win the Heisman Trophy award, he also wouldn't mind coming back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area again next year for a second Doak Walker award.

"Do you have a chance to win it two years in a row?" Smith asked during the press conference.

"Sure," one reporter in the room replied.

"Go for it again next year, bro," Smith told Gordon as he laughed.

"I got you," Gordon said.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II aims to win Doak Walker Award again