2020 Preseason Award Projections: Doak Walker Award

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2020 college football season WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises and the stars of next fall could be the headlining players next April in the 2021 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.

The Doak Walker Award is given to the best running back in college football. Last year, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor won the award for the second straight season.

Doak Walker Award Winner:

Najee Harris, Alabama

The Doak Walker Award has a tendency to favor the runners with one of the higher rushing totals. Thus, my choice came down to Clemson’s Travis Etienne, Memphis’ Kenny Gainwell and Alabama’s Najee Harris. Etienne could have less production than the other two as Clemson spreads the ball around to all its weapons. Gainwell could be hurt by not playing at a high-profile school, while Harris could be the Crimson Tide’s workhorse. With Alabama breaking in a new quarterback, the team could run the ball more and use the senior as its bell-cow back.

It can be hard to rack up a large number of carries at Alabama because the program typically spreads the touches around to a stable of running backs. However, Harris established himself as the feature back during the 2019 season and then decided to return for his senior year. Nick Saban likes upperclassmen and seniors, so I could see Harris having a big year with the Crimson Tide breaking in a new starting quarterback.

In 2019, Harris averaged 5.9 yards per carry for 1,224 yards with 13 touchdowns. He had 27 receptions for 304 yards and seen scores as a receiver. Harris finished the year playing his best football and it could be a sign of things to come. I think he could have a massive 2020 season and end up winning the Doak Walker Award.




Doak Walker Award Runner-Up:

Kenny Gainwell, Memphis

The Doak Walker Award has a tendency to favor the runners with one of the higher rushing totals, and it would not surprise me if Gainwell rips off a massive season that tops 1,500 yards rushing. Memphis lost a few offensive playmakers to the 2020 NFL Draft, so Gainwell could take on an even bigger role in 2020.

Gainwell was an electric playmaker for Memphis as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and jumped out to NFL teams. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry for 1,459 yards with 13 touchdowns. He also was a superb receiver out of the backfield, recording 51 receptions for 610 yards and three scores through the air.

Gainwell is a fast and explosive back who is a threat to rip off a long gain on any touch. The 5-foot-11, 191-pounder could stand to get stronger for the NFL, but he is a young and has time to develop physically. He has the skill set to dominate college football if he stays healthy, and this could be a huge year for him. It would not shock me if he is a top contender for a lot of postseason awards.




Doak Walker Award Dark Horse:

Travis Etienne, Clemson

As mentioned above, Etienne should produce a big year playing for a loaded team that has a tremendous passing attack that will keep teams from stacking the box. Etienne (5-10, 200) is a fast back who is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball.

In 2018, Etienne averaged 8.1 yards per carry for 1,658 yards with 24 touchdowns. In 2019 as a junior, Etienne played well for the most part. He averaged 7.8 yards per carry for 1,614 yards with 19 touchdowns. He also has 37 receptions for 432 yards and four touchdowns.

Etienne has the skill set to win the Doak Walker Award, but he may not have the opportunities as Clemson has an easy schedule, so it would not surprise me if Etienne only plays half a game, which would hurt his production.

Honorable Mentions: Mississippi State’s Kylin Hill, Missouri’s Larry Rountree, Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard, Oregon’s C.J. Verdell, Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks, Arkansas’ Rakeem Boyd and Ohio State’s Trey Sermon.