Aug. 26, 2001
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State senior running back Larry Ned has been named as one of 43 national candidates for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top running back.
The Doak Walker Award is presented by the SMU Athletic Forum. Last year's winner was TCU's LaDainian Tomlinson, now a San Diego Charger. Patrick Henry High School's Ricky Williams (Texas) is a two-time winner.
Ned, a senior from Moreno Valley's Rancho Verde High School, was a Walker finalist last season, but he suffered through an injury-plagued campaign that was ended prematurely by a shoulder injury. Ned was granted another year of eligibility after earning his degree in criminal justice and he is a preseason Mountain West Conference first-team selection. He is pursuing a second degree in economics.
Ned enters his final year of play with 2,013 career rushing yards to rank ninth all-time at San Diego State. With a 1,000-yard season in 2001, he would join Marshall Faulk as the only 3,000-yard rushers in San Diego State history.
"The preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award are not only being recognized for their excellence on the field, but also for their achievements in the classroom and the community," said Randall Goss, chair of the SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors.
Eight semifinalists will be selected Nov. 8th. The eventual winner will be announced Dec. 6th on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The trophy presentation will be in Dallas on Jan. 29, 2002.
Ned becomes the third San Diego State player to be named to a preseason watch list for 2001. He joins linebacker Jomar Butler (Butkus Award) and punter Brian Simnjanvoski (Ray Guy Award) on the national watch list.