University of Memphis Athletics

Photo by: Savanna Elkins
Henderson Named a Semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award
Nov 14, 2018 | Football
Tiger junior one of 10 semifinalists for top running back award
Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis junior running back Darrell Henderson has been named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday. Henderson was also one of 15 players named a Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist.
To determine the 2018 finalists, members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week's games. Three finalists for the award will be named Monday, Nov. 19. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2018 award recipient. The 2018 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 6 on ESPN.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year is voted on by the 130 Football Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, November 28, and the winner broadcast live on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 7.
Henderson is the nation's most explosive back, with an FBS-best 9.15 yards per carry. He is the nation's second-leading rusher with 1,446 rushing yards and is tied for the national lead in scoring with 20 total touchdowns.
Regularly displaying his explosive ability, several of Henderson's touchdowns have come on long bursts, and his 12 plays of 40-plus yards are the most in the nation.
Henderson's 1,446 rushing yards are the third-most in a season by a Memphis RB and it is just the ninth time a Tiger has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a single season. He is the third Tiger all-time to rush for over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons.
The Batesville, Miss., native leads the country with 1,840 all-purpose yards and 184 all-purpose yards per game.
In 35 career games played, Henderson stands as the second-leading rusher in Memphis history with 3,082 career rushing yards. His 31 rushing touchdowns are third in school history and his 40 total touchdowns tied former receiver Anthony Miller for second place on the school's all-time list.
Former Tiger DeAngelo Williams was a finalist for the 2005 Doak Walker Award and a semifinalist for the award in 2004. Williams finished his career as the Tigers all-time leading rusher with 6,026 rushing yards and 60 total touchdowns.
2018 Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
Eno Benjamin (So.) – Arizona State
A.J. Dillon (So.) – Boston College
Travis Etienne (So.) – Clemson
Darrell Henderson (Jr.) – Memphis
Karan Higdon (Sr.) – Michigan
Benny Snell (Jr.) – Kentucky
Devin Singletary (Jr.) – Florida Atlantic
J.J. Taylor (So.) – Arizona
Jonathan Taylor (So.) – Wisconsin
Trayveon Williams (Jr.) – Texas A&M
2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalists
Josh Allen, Senior, Linebacker, Kentucky
Deandre Baker, Senior, Defensive Back, Georgia
Devin Bush, Junior, Linebacker, Michigan
Travis Etienne, Sophomore, Running Back, Clemson
Will Grier, Senior, Quarterback, West Virginia
Dwayne Haskins, Junior, Quarterback, Ohio State
Darrell Henderson, Junior, Running Back, Memphis
Trace McSorley, Senior, Quarterback, Penn State
McKenzie Milton, Junior, Quarterback, UCF
Gardner Minshew, Senior, Quarterback, Washington State
Kyler Murray, Junior, Quarterback, Oklahoma
Tua Tagovailoa, Sophomore, Quarterback, Alabama
Jonathan Taylor, Sophomore, Running Back, Wisconsin
Jerry Tillery, Senior, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Quinnen Williams, Sophomore, Nose Guard, Alabama
To determine the 2018 finalists, members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast their votes after this week's games. Three finalists for the award will be named Monday, Nov. 19. The Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast a second vote to select the 2018 award recipient. The 2018 Doak Walker Award recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 6 on ESPN.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year is voted on by the 130 Football Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors. A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, November 28, and the winner broadcast live on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 7.
Henderson is the nation's most explosive back, with an FBS-best 9.15 yards per carry. He is the nation's second-leading rusher with 1,446 rushing yards and is tied for the national lead in scoring with 20 total touchdowns.
Regularly displaying his explosive ability, several of Henderson's touchdowns have come on long bursts, and his 12 plays of 40-plus yards are the most in the nation.
Henderson's 1,446 rushing yards are the third-most in a season by a Memphis RB and it is just the ninth time a Tiger has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in a single season. He is the third Tiger all-time to rush for over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons.
The Batesville, Miss., native leads the country with 1,840 all-purpose yards and 184 all-purpose yards per game.
In 35 career games played, Henderson stands as the second-leading rusher in Memphis history with 3,082 career rushing yards. His 31 rushing touchdowns are third in school history and his 40 total touchdowns tied former receiver Anthony Miller for second place on the school's all-time list.
Former Tiger DeAngelo Williams was a finalist for the 2005 Doak Walker Award and a semifinalist for the award in 2004. Williams finished his career as the Tigers all-time leading rusher with 6,026 rushing yards and 60 total touchdowns.
2018 Doak Walker Award Semifinalists
Eno Benjamin (So.) – Arizona State
A.J. Dillon (So.) – Boston College
Travis Etienne (So.) – Clemson
Darrell Henderson (Jr.) – Memphis
Karan Higdon (Sr.) – Michigan
Benny Snell (Jr.) – Kentucky
Devin Singletary (Jr.) – Florida Atlantic
J.J. Taylor (So.) – Arizona
Jonathan Taylor (So.) – Wisconsin
Trayveon Williams (Jr.) – Texas A&M
2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalists
Josh Allen, Senior, Linebacker, Kentucky
Deandre Baker, Senior, Defensive Back, Georgia
Devin Bush, Junior, Linebacker, Michigan
Travis Etienne, Sophomore, Running Back, Clemson
Will Grier, Senior, Quarterback, West Virginia
Dwayne Haskins, Junior, Quarterback, Ohio State
Darrell Henderson, Junior, Running Back, Memphis
Trace McSorley, Senior, Quarterback, Penn State
McKenzie Milton, Junior, Quarterback, UCF
Gardner Minshew, Senior, Quarterback, Washington State
Kyler Murray, Junior, Quarterback, Oklahoma
Tua Tagovailoa, Sophomore, Quarterback, Alabama
Jonathan Taylor, Sophomore, Running Back, Wisconsin
Jerry Tillery, Senior, Defensive Tackle, Notre Dame
Quinnen Williams, Sophomore, Nose Guard, Alabama
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