FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Arkansas sophomore tailback De'Arrius Howard has been named to the Doak Walker Award watch list, announced by the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors.
The Doak Walker Award is annually awarded to the nation's top collegiate running back. The award is based on athletic performance as well as citizenship, community service and academic achievement. Every Division I-A running back is eligible for the award and additional players may be added to the watch list during the season. An Arkansas running back has never won the Doak Walker Award.
Howard rushed for 595 yards and seven touchdowns last season on 131 carries. He averaged 4.5 yards per carry and earned a career high 121 yards in Arkansas' 26-19 win over Mississippi State. His seven touchdowns in 2002 were the most by a UA freshman since James Rouse set a school record (9) in 1985.
The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists on Nov. 19, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the winner in late November. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, print and electronic media members and selected special representatives.
The recipient of the 2003 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN along with other NCFAA member awards on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2004.
Former Penn State running back Larry Johnson, currently with the Kansas City Chiefs, won the 2002 Doak Walker Award.
2003 Doak Walker Award Watch List Zack Abron (Sr.), Missouri Tatum Bell (Sr.), Oklahoma State Cedric Benson (Jr.), Texas Art Brown (Sr.), East Carolina Ronnie Brown (Jr.), Auburn Terry Caulley (So.), Connecticut Anthony Davis (Sr.), Wisconsin Tyler Ebell (So.), UCLA Adimchinobe Echemandu (Sr.), California Jermaine Green (Sr.), Washington State Alex Haynes (Jr.), Central Florida Taurean Henderson (So.), Texas Tech Bobby Hendry (Sr.), Akron Lonta Hobbs (So.), TCU De'Arrius Howard (So.), Arkansas Steven Jackson (Jr.), Oregon State Terrence Jackson (Sr.), Central Michigan Greg Jones (Sr.), FSU Kevin Jones (Jr.), Virginia Tech Keylon Kincade (Sr.), SMU Derrick Knight (Sr.), Boston College Chance Kretschmer (Jr.), Nevada Wali Lundy (So.), Virginia T.A. McLendon (So.), NC State Tony Milton (Jr.), Georgia Brandon Miree (Sr.), Pittsburgh DonTrell Moore (So.), New Mexico Mewelde Moore (Sr.), Tulane Bruce Perry (Sr.), Maryland Chris Perry (Sr.), Michigan Bobby Purify (Sr.), Colorado Phil Reed (Sr.), Western Michigan Fred Russell (Sr.), Iowa Michael Turner (Sr.), Northern Illinois Carnell Williams (Jr.), Auburn DeAngelo Williams (So.), Memphis Shaud Williams (Sr.), Alabama Quincy Wilson (Sr.), West Virginia Jason Wright (Sr.), Northwestern
