Two SEC running backs have been selected as finalists for the Doak Walker Award, per ESPN’s release of the finalists for next month’s Home Depot College Football Awards.
Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss star Kewan Lacy both made the final three for college football’s premier running back honor, joining Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love.
Hardy and Love are second and third in the nation in rushing yards per game. Hardy averages 127.6 yards per outing, recording 1,403 yards on 214 carries. Love is averaging 118.7 yards per game, rushing 185 times for 1,306 yards. Jacksonville State’s Cam Cook, not a finalist for the award, leads the nation 1,444 rushing yards (131.3 per game).
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Lacy is tied with North Texas’s Caleb Hawkins for the national lead in rushing touchdowns with 19 on the season. Lacy has rushed 231 times for 1,136 yards.
The Doak Walker Award hasn’t officially posted its own announcement yet, but ESPN’s awards-show finalist list confirmed the trio, setting the stage for what should be one of the tighter races of the night. Hardy has been one of the SEC’s most productive and explosive backs all season for Missouri, while Lacy has emerged as the focal point of Ole Miss’ ground game, consistently delivering in big spots for the Rebels. Love, meanwhile, has put together a standout year for Notre Dame and is also a Maxwell Award finalist.
The winner will be announced during the 35th annual Home Depot College Football Awards on Friday, December 12, airing from 7–9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Kevin Negandhi, Molly McGrath and Booger McFarland will host the two-hour show from Bristol, with Jen Lada reporting live from New York ahead of the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
This year’s finalists continue a strong run for the SEC at the position — and both Hardy and Lacy will head into award season firmly in the mix for one of the NCAA’s most prestigious individual honors.
