Gator's Jeff Demps Named a Candidate for 2010 Doak Walker Award

University of Florida junior running back Jeff Demps was named a candidate for the 2010 Doak Walker Award, announced by the Guaranty Bank SMU Athletic Forum. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back. This marks the second-consecutive year that Demps has been nominated for the award. 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. In 2009, Demps played in all 14 games for the Gators and started 12. He accumulated 745 yards rushing on 99 carries and scored seven touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 7.5 yards per carry. The field of candidates is highlighted by the nation’s leading returning rusher, Dion Lewis from Pittsburgh; 2009 Doak Walker Award finalist and Heisman Trophy recipient, Mark Ingram from Alabama; and Ryan Williams from Virginia Tech, who ranked third nationally and led the ACC in rushing last season. The recipient of the 2010 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 9. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, in Feb. 2011.