UAB’s DeWayne McBride is one of 10 players selected as a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation’s collegiate running back.
McBride, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound junior from Starke, Florida, is the first UAB running back to become a Doak Walker semifinalist. He is also the lone Group of 5 player to be selected as a semifinalist this season.
Other finalists are Israel Abanikanda (Pitt), Chase Brown (Illinois), Zach Charbonnet (UCLA), Blake Corum (Michigan), Mohamed Ibrahim (Minnesota), Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), Kendre Miller (TCU), Bijan Robinson (Texas) and Deuce Vaughn (Kansas State).
McBride had led the nation for most of the season in yards per game but fell to second this week. He is currently ranked second in yards per game in yards per game (144.1) and rushing touchdowns (18). In 10 games, he’s rushed for 1,441 yards and 18 touchdowns.
McBride has more than 100 yards rushing in nine of 10 games this season with five multi-rushing touchdown games. His 18 rushing touchdowns are a single season UAB record. He is 147 yards away from breaking Jordan Howard’s school record of 1,587 rushing yards in a season, set in 2014. Howard had 306 carries with a yard per rush average of 5.2 yards in 2014. McBride has 217 carries with a yards per carry average of 6.6 yards heading into UAB’s regular season finale at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
McBride, who will certainly get some All-American mention, is also Maxwell Award semifinalist. The Maxwell Award is given to the collegiate player of the year.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email steve.irvine@1819news.com.
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