Michigan's Fitz Toussaint named to watch list for Doak Walker Award, given to nation's top running back
On Thursday, Fitz Toussaint (28) was announced as a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding running back.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
Michigan's Fitz Toussaint stated this spring that he plans on rushing for at least 1,600 yards in 2012.
Toussaint is apparently not the only one who thinks 2012 season could be a big season for the junior running back, who was announced as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award on Thursday. The award is annually awarded to the nation's top college running back.
Toussaint is one of 52 candidates along with fellow Big Ten backs Le'Von Bell (Michigan State), Jordan Hall (Ohio State), James White (Wisconsin) and Montee Ball (Wisconsin) who was a candidate in 2011 and led the nation in rushing yards and scoring last season.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 9, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine three finalists and announce them on Nov. 19. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on Nov. 26 to determine the recipient.
During his breakout sophomore season, Toussaint rushed for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns. After battling injuries during the early parts of the season, Toussaint had 112 carries for 678 yards in his final five regular season games. He also had one receiving touchdown on the year.
Last week, Toussaint was also announced as a candidate for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation's most outstanding player.
Alabama's Trent Richardson won the Doak Walker Award in 2011 after rushing for 1,583 yards and 20 touchdowns and accounting for 327 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
The last Michigan running back to win the award was Chris Perry in 2003 when he rushed for 1,589 yards and had 366 yards receiving.
Other Michigan players to appear on watch lists this summer:
- Denard Robinson (Davey O'Brien Award for best quarterback)
- Brendan Gibbons (Lou Groza Award for best kicker)
- Jordan Kovacs (Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defender)
- Taylor Lewan (Rotary Lombardi Award for best lineman/linebacker, Outland Trophy for best tackle/guard/center)
- Roy Roundtree (Biletnikoff Award for top receiver)
- Denard Robinson (Maxwell Award for most outstanding player)
Comments
heartbreakM
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 8:06 p.m.
And this just in from Tucson: "You know, he would have made that list last year if I was still, well if I had been allowed to cook the cake"
Terry Star21
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
Good one. Watch Fitz shred msu and ohio this year - relentlessly.
ted
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 8:02 p.m.
If he goes pro Michigan needs to get a great rb. On another note it is interesting to see the difference in recruiting priorities between Michigan and Ohio St. Especially when you look at the type of WRs they have been getting. Ohio St. commits are medium sized, fast and very athletic. Michigan WRs are on the very tall side, strong and on the slower side. It will be fun to watch which idea pans out as the better in the one game this season and 2 games every year after this one.
Gabrial Mielke
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 5:42 a.m.
Floyd from ND is tall and big, (not too fast) and he destroyed everybody's secondary. I for one am glad he no longer plays for ND. He was their best receiver. I will take a 6'5+ receiver, that can out-jump and catch almost anything, then a smaller receiver that struggles to see where the ball is coming from. Bigger receivers make bigger targets, and can see the ball better.
ted
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
We will see.
heartbreakM
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 8:07 p.m.
Little and athletic didn't pan out too well for the last few years (well, before last year)
wes
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
Good luck to the kid. Hope he has a great season! Roll Tide!!
Gabrial Mielke
Sat, Jul 21, 2012 : 5:37 a.m.
As a true Blue Michigan fan, I respect any great worthy advisory. I also admire great sportsmanship. Thank you for your wishes to our great athlete. I wish Alabama a great season, even though I will be routing for Michigan and hope the Wolverines win against your team. Never the less, It's always a great thing to see other teams fans respect great things, even if it isn't part of the team they cheer for. Greatness is great, no matter where it hails from. GO BLUE!!
Terry Star21
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 7:08 p.m.
Fitz has as much strength, speed, talent and determination, if not more - than any other of those players in America. Like I said before, a lot will be determined on how much DRob runs the ball. If Fitz is used like Mike Hart, he could exceed 1,800 and win this award. In Fitz, we must surely have one of the best running backs in America, on of course surely the best college football team in America. MgoBlueForTiM.....great time to be a Michigan faithful - bad time to be green with envy or red with angry frustration.