The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Charles named 2007 Doak Walker Award semifinalist
11.13.2007 | Football
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas junior RB Jamaal Charles has been named as one of just 10 semifinalists for the 2007 Doak Walker Award, honoring the nation's top running back, the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors announced today.
Charles follows former UT All-America and current Chicago Bears RB Cedric Benson, who won the award in 2004. Benson's selection marked the third time a Longhorn had been selected as the winner after Ricky Williams was named the award's only back-to-back winner in 1997 and 1998.
"I'm really honored to be listed among so many great players up for the Doak Walker Award," said Charles. "It's definitely a thrill and a reward for a lot of hard work by everybody on our offense and especially my offensive line. The Doak Walker Award has always been a goal of mine. Whenever you walk through our trophy room and see that trophy that Ricky (Williams) and Ced (Benson) won, it motivates you to follow in their footsteps."
This season, Charles has carried the ball 214 times for 1,366 yards (6.4 ypc) and 15 TDs. Both his 1,366 yards and 15 TDs rank sixth on UT's all-time single-season lists. His 124.2 yards per game rank 11th nationally and first in the Big 12. He has rushed for at least 100 yards six times (T-No. 9 on UT's single-season list) and at least 70 yards in nine of 11 games.
"Jamaal has developed into one of the nation's premier running backs and we're excited to hear that he has been named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award," said Mack Brown. "He's made a bunch of big plays for us this year, but his fourth quarter performances with the game on the line in wins against Nebraska and at Oklahoma State are as good as you're going to see in a high-pressure situation. He has played a huge role in our recent five game-winning streak."
Over the last three games, Charles has rushed for 644 yards and seven TDs on 72 carries (8.9 ypc). The 644 yards are the sixth-most over a three-game stretch on UT record. He scored three TDs in both the Nebraska and Oklahoma State games, marking the first time since Williams in 1998 that a UT player has run for at least three TDs in consecutive games. On those six TDs, he averaged 44.3 yards per run.
Most impressively during the stretch have been Charles' fourth-quarter exploits. Against Nebraska and Oklahoma State, Charles rushed for 341 yards and five TDs on 20 carries (17.1 ypc) in the final period of the game, sparking double-digit comebacks in both of those wins.
Charles was named the Walter Camp Football Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week following the 28-25 victory over Nebraska. He set career highs with 290 yards (a Nebraska opponent record) on 33 carries and matched his career high with three TDs. He rushed for 216 yards in the fourth quarter alone, which is a UT record and just six yards shy of the NCAA mark for rushing yards in a quarter (222, Corey Dillon, Washington vs. San Jose State, 1996).
"This season has been special for him but when you look at the proud tradition of running backs at this place and see that he is trailing only Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, Earl Campbell and Chris Gilbert on our all-time rushing list, that's pretty amazing, and he's only a junior," Brown said. "We're really proud of everything he's accomplished and excited about his future. He is certainly worthy of strong consideration for the Doak Walker Award."
For his career, Charles has posted 3,075 yards (No. 6 on UT's all-time list) on 489 carries (6.3 ypc) and scored 33 TDs (T-No. 6 on UT's all-time list). He has also caught 43 passes for 447 yards (10.4 ypc) and three TDs. All totaled, he has registered 3,522 all-purpose yards and 36 TDs (T-No. 4 on UT's all-time list) on 532 career touches (6.6 ypp). Charles is one of only four active players in the nation to post a rush of 85 or more yards and a reception of 70 or more yards during their careers.
The 162 members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes this week to determine the 2007 finalists.
On Monday, November 19, three finalists will be named, and a second vote by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will determine the recipient. The 2007 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6.
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.
