LARAMIE – On Wednesday, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced the 10 semifinalists for the 2016 Doak Walker Award. For the second consecutive year, University of Wyoming running back Brian Hill was named to the exclusive group of semifinalists.
The semifinalists for the 2016 Doak Walker Award are: Brian Hill, Junior, Wyoming; Saquon Barkley, Sophomore, Penn State; Dalvin Cook, Junior, Florida State; D’Onta Foreman, Junior, Texas; Leonard Fournette, Junior, LSU; Aaron Jones, Junior, UTEP; Christian McCaffrey, Junior, Stanford; Jeremy McNichols, Junior, Boise State; Kamryn Pettway, Sophomore, Auburn; and Donnel Pumphrey, Senior, San Diego State.
Hill currently ranks: No. 3 in the nation in average rushing yards per game this season (141.7); No. 3 in the nation in total rushing yards (1,417); No. 5 in the NCAA in rushing touchdowns (16); No. 13 in the country in scoring (9.6 points per game); and No. 15 in the nation in all-purpose yards per game (144.5).
The Mountain West Conference has three representatives among the 10 semifinalists, including Donnel Pumphrey of San Diego State and Jeremy McNichols of Boise State.
Fans will have an opportunity to watch two of those semifinalists on Saturday in Laramie. SDSU’s Pumphrey is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in total rushing yards entering this week, with 1,779.
With his 1,417 yards this season, Hill is only 214 yards away from his own single-season school record of 1,631 yards that he set last season. Hill has rushed for 3,844 career yards to rank No. 1 in school history and No. 3 in MW history.
To determine the 2016 finalists, members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week’s games. Three finalists for the award will be named Tuesday, Nov. 22. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2016 award recipient. The 2016 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 8 on ESPN.
The Award is named after three-time SMU All-America running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner Doak Walker. Walker, who also punted, returned kicks and kicked extra points, led the Mustangs to two Southwest Conference Championships. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and led the league in scoring his rookie year. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to two NFL championships and was chosen All-Pro four times. Walker is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
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