KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan red-shirt sophomore running back Jalen Buckley has been named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List.
 
First awarded in 1990, the Doak Walker Award is named after Southern Methodist University legend, Doak Walker.  The award given out annually to the nation's top running back.
 
Buckley heads into the 2024 campaign after a spectacular red-shirt freshman year. The Aurora, Ill., native was named the MAC Freshman of the Year after rushing for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns. Buckley averaged 5.3 yards per carry and was named a consensus Freshman All-American.
 
Buckley eclipsed 100 yards four times on the season, with a career-best 196 at Toledo. Against WMU rivals Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan he had four touchdowns and 255 yards on the ground.
 
Buckley and the Broncos open up the 2024 season at Wisconsin on Friday, Aug. 30 at Wisconsin at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast live on FS1. Season and single-game tickets are available at www.wmubroncos.com/tickets.