Marshall University Athletics
Marshall’s Jo’shon Barbie, Tony Mathis Named To Doak Walker Watch List
8/5/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
Pair of Herd RBs have seen measured success in recent seasons
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Football had two players named to the prestigious Doak Walker Award Watch List on Tuesday.
Redshirt junior Jo'shon Barbie and redshirt senior Tony Mathis were named to the list, which annually honors the top running back in college football.
Barbie exploded onto the scene as a top-tier running back and McNeese State at the end of 2023 and carried that momentum into the 2024 season.
The 5-9, 190-pound product of Harvey, La., has rushed for 1,251 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 17 career games as the primary back for the Cowboys.
In 2024, Barbie finished with 831 yards and eight touchdowns while being a consistent producer in the rushing attack.
Mathis comes to Marshall from Houston where he spent the last two seasons. Prior to his injury-riddled time with the Cougars, Mathis was one of the best running backs in the Big 12 while in a running back rotation at West Virginia.
In 2022, Mathis started 10 games at running back, finishing No. 7 in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game at 56.2 and No. 11 in rushing yards at 562 while splitting time with two other backs.
The 6-1, 195-pound rusher had three 100-yard rushing games and two multi-TD games to his credit. He earned Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week following a performance against Baylor in which he rushed for 163 yards on 22 carries with 2 TDs.
Both Barbie and Mathis join a Marshall offense that will be led by offensive coordinator Rod Smith, whose offenses at Jacksonville State have finished in the top-3 in rushing yards in each of the last two seasons. Smith's Illinois rushing attack in 2019 also led the B1G.
Marshall Football opens its 2025 season on Aug. 30 at Georgia. The team's first home game is a Sept. 6 matchup with Missouri State. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
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