Woakes' outstanding career has often played out in the considerable shadow of the record-breaking duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad but, when it came to handing out the Compton-Miller Medal for player of the series, it was his turn to take the acclaim.
The 34-year-old was not picked for the first two Tests, both of which Australia won, but breathed fresh life into the contest after returning to the side and inspired the hosts to an eventual 2-2 draw.
He starred with the ball at Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval, collecting 19 wickets at a miserly average of 18.14 and bolstered the lower order with a couple of important cameos.
Woakes was the spark behind England's fifth-day triumph in the final Test, taking 4-50 in a sustained spell of high-class seam bowling.
His contribution was key to denying the outright series victory Australia craved.
"To play three games and walk away with man of the series proves how good a cricketer Woakesy is," Stokes said.
"He's a massive team man and he should never be underestimated for his contributions to English cricket.
"He might not have got the opportunities people might think he should have but that's purely because he's been playing in the era of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
"Every time he has walked out for England he's given absolutely everything.
"This series in particular is something he'll be very proud of for what he's managed to achieve.
"I'm very proud of him too, for coming in and putting in these performances."
Woakes missed the first year of the Bazball revolution due to injury problems and admitted finding his way back into the Test set-up in time to tangle with the Australians was a prime motivator.
"I've not been a part of this squad and team for over 12 months, so I was desperate to get back in and have a go," he told BBC Sport.
"When you come into an Ashes series you want to perform and contribute to wins and I couldn't have asked for it to go much better really.
"This is the pinnacle of Test cricket so it is amazing."
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