Nov. 12, 2009
DALLAS, Texas – Georgia Tech junior Jonathan Dwyer was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors announced Thursday.
The Doak Walker Award goes annually to the nation’s top running back. The 10 semifinalists are:
Donald Buckram (Jr.) UTEP
Jonathan Dwyer (Jr.) Georgia Tech
Toby Gerhart (Sr.) Stanford
Mark Ingram (So.) Alabama
Dion Lewis (Fr.) Pittsburgh
Ryan Mathews (Jr.) Fresno State
Jacquizz Rodgers (So.) Oregon State
C.J. Spiller (Sr.) Clemson
Ben Tate (Sr.) Auburn
Ryan Williams (Fr.) Virginia Tech
The Marietta (Ga.) product recently went over 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight season. He has rushed for 100 yards in a game 15 times in his career, including five times this season.
Dwyer may be the nation’s hottest running back. Over the last two games, he has rushed for 375 yards and four touchdowns in wins over Vanderbilt and Wake Forest. Over the last seven games, Dwyer has rushed for 925 yards (132.1 ypg) and seven touchdowns.
Georgia Tech has a player listed among the semifinalists for the nation’s top running back (Doak Walker Award) and the nation’s best receiver (Fred Biletnikoff Award) in Dwyer and Demaryius Thomas, respectively.
The 130 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes to determine the 2009 finalists. On Monday, November 23, three finalists will be named, and a second vote by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will determine the recipient. The 2009 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, December 10.
The Award is named after three-time SMU All-American 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.
