Trio of ECU Running Backs Named to 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List
East Carolina’s running back room continues to earn national respect — and now has the accolades to prove it.
A trio of Pirate backs — Marlon Gunn Jr., Parker Jenkins, and London Montgomery — were named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Monday. The prestigious award is given annually to the top running back in college football, with the 2025 winner to be revealed on December 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
Marlon Gunn Jr.: Veteran Leader and Team-First Grinder
A senior with one year of eligibility left, Gunn has quietly been one of ECU’s most consistent and dependable backs since arriving in 2021. He’s played in 34 career games, totaling 633 rushing yards on 152 carries (4.2 ypc) and three touchdowns, all of which came during the 2024 campaign.
Last season, Gunn saw action in all 12 regular season games, contributing 224 rushing yards and three scores while also catching a pair of passes for 29 yards. His 1-yard TD at Liberty was part of the fastest scoring drive in the entire FBS. Gunn's late-season push (164 yards over the final five games) showed his ability to finish strong, and his leadership extends well beyond the field — he was also recently named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for his community service.
Parker Jenkins: Explosive Houston Transfer with Power 5 Experience
Jenkins, a transfer from Houston, adds a new dynamic to the backfield. As a freshman in 2023, he emerged as a top weapon for the Cougars, rushing for 492 yards on 99 carries (5.0 ypc) and scoring three touchdowns in just eight starts. He also caught 15 passes and served as a kickoff returner.
Though his role decreased in 2024 due to injury and depth chart changes, Jenkins still managed to average 5.7 yards per carry and started Week 1 against UNLV. Now fully healthy and in a fresh system at ECU, Jenkins has two years of eligibility remaining and could be one of the breakout transfer backs in the American Athletic Conference.
London Montgomery: Underrated Workhorse with Big-Play Burst
Montgomery made a quiet but important impact in 2024 after transferring in and seeing his first college action. The sophomore ran for 359 yards on 71 carries (5.1 ypc) and added two touchdowns, including a 48-yard score vs. Charlotte and a 16-yard burst at Tulsa.
The Pennsylvania native showed signs of a breakout year ahead — hitting 50+ yards rushing in four different games while logging double-digit carries on three occasions. His vision and burst made him a solid change-of-pace option in the offense last fall, and he's expected to take on an even larger role in 2025.
This watch list inclusion is a strong sign of confidence in East Carolina’s running back depth heading into the 2025 season. While the Pirates lost longtime starter Rahjai Harris to graduation, this talented trio brings production, versatility, and explosiveness — and each back has already proven they can contribute in different ways.
With Gunn’s experience, Jenkins’ upside, and Montgomery’s efficiency, ECU’s run game is set up to take a major leap forward in 2025.