Photo by: David Beach
Connors Named to Doak Walker Watch List
8/6/2024 11:26:00 AM | Football
Nation's top running back
Houston-Rice senior Dean Connors has been named to the 2024 Doak Walker Award Watch List, which was released on Tuesday by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum. The Forum annually presents the award to the nation's most outstanding college running back.
Connors enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, leading the Owls in rushing (771 yards), rushing touchdowns (7), and all-purpose yards (1,189) while also catching 43 passes for 403 yards and three scores. His average of 6.4 yards per carry was the highest for a Rice running back with at least 100 carries since Thomas Lott Jr. averaged 6.4 in 2005 (140/902).
He closed the season strongly, rushing for 591 yards on 80 carries over his last seven games, and scored a pair of touchdowns in the First Responder Bowl, the first Owl with multiple rushing touchdowns in a bowl game since Dicky Maegle in the 1954 Cotton Bowl.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December 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 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 12, 2024.
The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. Each Tuesday of this season, The PwC SMU Athletic Forum will once again announce a Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week.
Players Mentioned
RB
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