Xavier Jones Named One Of 10 Semifinalists For Doak Walker

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Jones Named One Of 10 Semifinalists For Doak Walker Award

DALLAS (SMU) – Xavier Jones was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced today. The Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in college football.

Jones has 1,063 yards and 18 touchdowns off 196 carries in 2019. In the win over ECU, he became the sixth Mustang to post multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons (2017) and posted three touchdowns to set the SMU record for total season touchdowns with 20 (18 rushing, 2 receiving) and total points in a season with 120.

The senior has had at least one touchdown in each game this season, and seven 100-yard rushing performances. He opened the year with a career-high tying three rushing touchdowns against Arkansas State and matched that total in week two against North Texas. His back-to-back performance made him the first Mustang to have 3+ TDs in consecutive games since Zach Line in 2011.

Jones has 40 career-rushing touchdowns (4th SMU) and 43 total career touchdowns (T-3rd SMU). Both numbers rank fifth among NCAA active FBS leaders. His 3,223 career-rushing yards and 258 career points rank sixth for a Mustang.

Jones is the first Mustang to be named a semifinalist for the award since Line who earned the honor in 2011 and now plays for the New Orleans Saints. Jones is also a semifinalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, presented to the top collegiate offensive player with Texas ties.

The Doak Walker Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week's games and three finalists will be announced Monday, Nov. 25. The 2019 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show Dec. 12 on ESPN.

The Award is named after three-time SMU All-America 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.

Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
LeVante Bellamy (Sr.) Western Michigan
A.J. Dillon (Jr.) Boston College
J.K. Dobbins (Jr.) Ohio State
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Jr.) LSU
Travis Etienne (Jr.) Clemson
Kenneth Gainwell (Fr.) Memphis
Chuba Hubbard (So.) Oklahoma State
Xavier Jones (Sr.) SMU
Zack Moss (Sr.) Utah
Jonathan Taylor (Jr.) Wisconsin