Charles a Candidate for Doak Walker Award
Aug 20 | Football
DALLAS, TEXAS -- SMU sophomore tailback ShanDerrick Charles was named today as one of the preseason candidates for the 2002 Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top college running back.
Charles, a Port Arthur, Texas native, set an SMU freshman rushing record last year with 860 yards despite carrying the ball in just eight games. He was the nation's fourth leading freshman rusher in 2001 and led the Western Athletic Conference and ranked fifth in the nation, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
"It is great for ShanDerrick to be recognized," said Mustang head coach Phil Bennett. "He had an outstanding freshman season and it is obvious that he has great talent. I am looking for big things out of him, as well as the rest of our backs this year."
Charles is one of 42 candidates for the award, presented by the SMU Athletic Forum. Eight semifinalists for the award will be named on Nov. 19 and the winner will be announced live on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 12. The Doak Walker Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003.
The Doak Walker Award is named after the former SMU great, who became the first college player to win the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 1948.
