Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Marks, Johnson both Doak Walker Award Candidates
July 20, 2021 | Football, Joel Coleman
State’s running backs among those being considered for best at their position.
STARKVILLE – The two men that make up Mississippi State's dynamic backfield duo are each in the running to be the best at their position in 2021.
Bulldog sophomore running backs Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson have both been selected as preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award, it was announced on Wednesday. The honor is given annually to the nation's top college running back.
The versatility of Marks and Johnson should aid their cases to be considered for the accolade, as well as help them to be impact players for MSU in the upcoming season just as they were a year ago.
Marks led State in both rushing yardage and receptions in 2020. The Atlanta, Georgia, native ran for 325 yards and caught 60 passes for 268 yards. The 60 catches set a new MSU single-season record for receptions by a freshman, and by a running back.
Like Marks, Johnson was a weapon both through the air and on the ground for State a season ago. Johnson rushed for 231 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. Two of Johnson's rushing scores came against Georgia as he became the first MSU freshman running back since 2013 to score multiple rushing touchdowns in one game. The Greenville, Mississippi, product also caught 36 passes for 157 yards last year.
This coming November, 10 semifinalists will be named for the Doak Walker Award and later in the month, that total will be narrowed to three finalists. The winner of the 2021 Doak Walker Award will be announced live as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 9.
Bulldog sophomore running backs Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson have both been selected as preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award, it was announced on Wednesday. The honor is given annually to the nation's top college running back.
The versatility of Marks and Johnson should aid their cases to be considered for the accolade, as well as help them to be impact players for MSU in the upcoming season just as they were a year ago.
Marks led State in both rushing yardage and receptions in 2020. The Atlanta, Georgia, native ran for 325 yards and caught 60 passes for 268 yards. The 60 catches set a new MSU single-season record for receptions by a freshman, and by a running back.
Like Marks, Johnson was a weapon both through the air and on the ground for State a season ago. Johnson rushed for 231 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. Two of Johnson's rushing scores came against Georgia as he became the first MSU freshman running back since 2013 to score multiple rushing touchdowns in one game. The Greenville, Mississippi, product also caught 36 passes for 157 yards last year.
This coming November, 10 semifinalists will be named for the Doak Walker Award and later in the month, that total will be narrowed to three finalists. The winner of the 2021 Doak Walker Award will be announced live as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 9.
Players Mentioned
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