Katoa named preseason candidate for 2019 Doak Walker Award

DALLAS – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum recognized BYU sophomore running back Lopini Katoa on Wednesday as a preseason candidate for the 2019 Doak Walker Award.

The award, which will name its 30th recipient in 2019, is given annually to the nation's top running back and is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. BYU running back Luke Staley won the award in 2001. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Katoa averaged 5.6 yards per carry to lead BYU in rushing and scoring (non-kicker) last season as a freshman with 423 yards on 76 carries and nine touchdowns. A native of American Fork, Utah, Katoa played in 11 games and ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards with 537 and was fifth in receiving yards with 114. He set the BYU freshman record for rushing touchdowns in a single game with four against Hawaii while running for a season-high 155 yards. 

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, before three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced on Nov. 20. The committee will cast a second vote beginning Dec. 2 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2019 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 12 on ESPN.