Five MAC Students Named To Doak Walker Award Watch List
2016 Doak Walker Award Candidates Announced
DALLAS - The PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced today the preseason candidates for the 2016 Doak Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back. Representing the MAC are Western Michigan running backs Jamauri Bogan and Jarvion Franklin, Northern Illinois' Joel Bouagnon, Toledo's Kareem Hunt and Eastern Michigan's Shaq Vann.
Bogan, a native of Union, N.J., led the way last season with a team-high 1,051 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning him the honor of MAC Freshman of the Year, and becoming the fourth straight Bronco to earn the award. He was also named Popeyes Bahamas Bowl Offensive MVP after rushing for 215 yards and four touchdowns against Middle Tennessee State. It was the second time in 2015 he ran for four scores.
Franklin, a native of Tinley Park, Ill., was productive in having someone to share the carries with last season as he accounted for 735 yards and five touchdowns on his own. Through his first two seasons, Franklin has rushed for 2,286 yards, and 29 career touchdowns. He ranks 10th in program history in career rushing yards and third in career rushing touchdowns. He set the single season rushing touchdown record at Western Michigan in 2014 when he ran for 24 touchdowns.
Bouagnon, a native of Aurora, Ill., started in all 14 games last season and totaled 1,285 yards rushing on 283 carries (4.5 avg.) and led the MAC with 18 rushing touchdowns. Bouagnon led the MAC in scoring with 108 total points. Last season Bouagnon was named an All-MAC First Team selection. Bouagnon has 2,026 career rushing yards to rank 16th all-time at NIU. He rushed for a career-high 156 yards and two scores in the Huskies' 41-30 win at Buffalo.
Hunt, a native of Willoughby, Ohio, is a two-time All-MAC pick, rushed for 973 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games in 2015. As a sophomore in 2014, Hunt gained 1,631 yards and ranked second in the country in yards per carry with 7.96. He capped his season by running for 271 yards and five TDs in Toledo's 63-44 victory over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl.
Vann, a native of South Bend, Ind., appeared in all 12 games for Eastern Michigan in 2015, starting four contests. He finished the season second on the team in rushing with 586 yards on 100 carries, as well as five scores. Vann was the Eagles' top receiving threat out of the backfield, totaling 37 receptions for 269 yards and one touchdown. For his efforts, he was named Eastern Michigan's Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Six of the 11 semifinalists for the 2015 Doak Walker Award appear on the 2016 watch list. Nominations for the award will be accepted through October.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists on November 16, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the three finalists, who will be announced on November 22. The committee will cast a second vote beginning November 28 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.
The recipient of the 2016 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 8, on ESPN. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas in early 2017. The award, which will name its 27th recipient in 2016, is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.
