ESPN announces Top 3 finalists for the Doak Walker Award

The Doak Walker award released the names of the three finalists who are still in the mix to win the prestigious honor for the 2021 season. The award honors the top running back in the country yearly, named after SMU legend Doak Walker.

Walker, who also punted, returned punts and kickoffs, and kicked extra points, earned All-America honors in 1947, 1948 and 1949. He missed the 1946 season due to his service in the Army. In 1948, Walker won the Heisman Trophy.

Since a running back hasn’t won the Heisman award since 2015, the Doak Walker Award is usually the highest honor a running back will win in their career.

In 2020, Alabama Crimson Tide running back Najee Harris took home the Doak Walker award.

The three finalists for the Doak Walker are Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III, Iowa State’s Breece Hall and Missouri’s Tyler Badie. Walker is also a finalist for the Maxwell Award, an honor for the nation’s best overall player. Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Texas’s Bijan Robinson are among the top running backs who did not make the cut.

This year’s awards show will air on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN.

Doak Walker Award finalists

The 2021 favorite to win the Doak Walker is the man with the same last name – Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker is fourth in the odds for the Heisman Trophy and second in rushing yardage this season. He was first before a six-carry, 25-yard performance versus Ohio State in Week 12. He does still have more yards (1,498) and more yards per carry (6.43) than Hall or Badie.

Iowa State Breece Hall is getting well-deserved recognition for his standout junior season. Despite some inconsistency, he’s posted six 100-plus yard performances this season with 17 touchdowns. He also has two receiving touchdowns.

Missouri Tiger Tyler Badie is having a breakout year as a senior in Columbia. He has a career-best 1,385 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns and four games with over 200 rushing yards. He’s also given the Mizzou passing game a boost with 53 receptions for 335 yards and four more scores.