Xavier Jones Named A Candidate For Doak Walker Award

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Jones Named A Candidate For Doak Walker Award
SMU Sophomore Earns Preseason Honor After Record-Breaking Freshman Season

DALLAS (SMU) - SMU sophomore Xavier Jones has been named a preseason candidate for the 2016 Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Thursday. The award is presented annually to the nation's top college running back.

The Spring, Texas, native was reliable and productive in his first season on the Hilltop after setting a SMU freshman record for rushing touchdowns (10), surpassing SMU greats Eric Dickerson and Zach Line, and finishing as the Mustangs' second-leading rusher with 634 yards. Jones will be the Mustangs featured running back in 2016 after playing in all 12 games and starting in six last season. He finished second on the squad in both points (60) and receptions (27).

The award, which will name its 27th recipient in 2016, is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists on November 16, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the three finalists, who will be announced on November 22. The committee will cast a second vote beginning November 28 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 2016 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 8, on ESPN. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas in early 2017.

For more information on the Doak Walker Award and a list of past recipients, visit www.smu.edu/DoakWalkerAward.

SMU opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. CT at North Texas. The Mustangs' home opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Liberty. Season tickets are still available for as little as $99 for SMU's six-game home slate. For Mustang ticket information, call the Athletics Department Ticket Office at (214) SMU-GAME (768-4263).