2012 Pac-12 Doak Walker Award Contenders

With the 2012 college football season quickly approaching, many watch lists are being released filled with talented players throughout the nation.

One of the latest to be released was the Doak Walker Award watch list. One of the more prestigious awards, the Doak Walker Award is given out to the best running back in college football every year. The past five winners of this award have been:

• Trent Richardson - Alabama
• LaMichael James - Oregon
• Toby Gerhart - Stanford
• Shonn Greene -Iowa
• Darren McFadden - Arkansas

If it is not evident by the list of past winners, this is an exclusive list to be a part of and whoever wins it will become part of the great running backs in college football history.

Included in this years field of 52 candidates are the likes of Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina), Montee Ball (Wisconsin), Curtis McNeal (USC), and Eddie Lacy (Alabama)—all extremely talented players.

While each conference has its own set of great running backs, no conference is more represented on this watch list than the Pac-12. In total, the conference has eight players from eight different schools represented: Isi Sofele (California), Jessie Callier (Washington), Kenjon Barner (Oregon), Curtis McNeal (USC), Jonathan Franklin (UCLA), Cameron Marshall (Arizona State), John White (Utah) and Stepfan Taylor (Stanford).

Each of these players brings a specific skill set that make them part of an elite group of running backs that are seeking to make their imprint in college football history.

If you are not sure who some of these players are or want a quick refresher before the season, here is a profile of each of the Pac-12 players to make the 2012 Doak Walker Award watch list.

Isi Sofele: California Golden Bears

Experience: 3 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 252

Yards: 1,322

Average: 5.2 yards/attempt

TD: 10

Profile:

Sofele will be entering his final season with the Golden Bears looking to build upon a breakout 2011 campaign that saw him rush for over 1,300 yards while accumulating 10 touchdowns on the ground. His 1,322 yards in just his first year as a true starter were good enough for sixth in California Golden Bear history.

Despite his small stature (Sofele only stands at 5'8"), don't underestimate the game that this kid brings to the table. He is a quick runner that can deliver a blow if you are not anticipating any power. He is a tough player that is able to bounce off of tackles and break for big runs by blowing past defenders and shedding tackles. Using his small size to his advantage, he is able to hide behind a big offensive line and break into the open, sometimes surprising defenders who could not pick him up in the backfield.

In just his second season as a starter, expect Sofele to have yet another outstanding season as he looks to lead the Golden Bears' rushing attack once again.

Jesse Callier: Washington Huskies

Experience: 2 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 47

Yards: 260

Average: 5.5 yards/attempt

TD: 1

Profile:

With the departure of Chris Polk to the NFL, Jessie Callier and company will be called upon to lead an improving Washington Huskies football team down the field.

Over his two years with the Huskies, Callier has demonstrated great ability for reading defenses and finding the open lane. Unlike many of the other candidates from the Pac-12 that are guaranteed to garner many carries this season, there are still rumors floating around that the Huskies will be a running back-by-committee this season, making Callier one of the more interesting selections for this watch list.

Yet, don't underestimate Callier's ability to become one of the best rushers in the nation. Learning from Polk, this running back will likely start most games for the Huskies and prove to the nation that he deserves to be in contention for the Doak Walker Award.

Jonathan Franklin: UCLA Bruins

Experience: 3 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 166

Yards: 976

Average: 5.9 yards/attempt

TD: 5

Profile:

UCLA back Jonathan Franklin is no stranger to the Doak Walker Award watch list. After being nominated for the award in 2011, Franklin will be looking to take hold of the UCLA backfield once again after sharing carries with senior Derrick Coleman last season.

Entering his final season with the Bruins, Franklin will be looking to help UCLA compete for yet another appearance in the Pac-12 Championship game. An explosive runner, Franklin has demonstrated that he can be one of the best in the nation. He is quick off the ball and has great open-field speed.

Look for Franklin to be a staple piece in the Bruins' offense this year.

Cameron Marshall: Arizona State Sun Devils

Experience: 3 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 230

Yards: 1,050

Average: 4.6 yards/attempt

TD: 18

Profile:

For such a pass-heavy team, Marshall impressed his constituents last year by rushing for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career as a Sun Devil. More than any other back on this list, Marshall is a bruiser. He is built like a tank and has the potential to disrupt any tackler that tries to bring him down. By using him in tandem with their other backs, Arizona State suddenly becomes a team that can hurt anybody on the ground as well.

Entering his final season with the Sun Devils, Marshall gives Arizona State the presence it needs to be a balanced attack. Looking to make up for their disappointing 2011 effort, the Sun Devils should put the ball in Marshall's hands quite a bit this year as they look to challenge for the Pac-12 South title against favorite USC.

John White: Utah Utes

Experience: 1 year

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 316

Yards: 1,519

Average: 4.8 yards/attempt

TD: 15

Profile:

After transferring to Utah from JUCO, White stepped into his role as a feature piece of the Utah offense perfectly. Due to injuries to key players, especially quarterback Jordan Wynn, White had to step up and become Utah's offensive production throughout the whole year.

Heralded as one of the top JUCO running backs, White will be looking to build off of his breakout 2011 season in 2012. He demonstrated incredible poise, strength and speed en route to becoming the second- leading rusher in the Pac-12 and 11th leading rusher in the nation. Already earning many accolades for his impressive 2011 campaign, White will be seeking to have yet another MVP-caliber season in 2012 as he leads the Utes in their second Pac-12 season.

Stepfan Taylor: Stanford Cardinal

Experience: 3 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 242

Yards: 1,330

Average: 5.5 yards/attempt

TD: 10

Profile:

One of the best kept secrets in the nation, Stanford running back Stepfan Taylor will be looking to finally step into the spotlight on the offensive side of the ball for the Cardinal. With Toby Gerhart and Andrew Luck overshadowing him the past three years, Taylor has quietly collected back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and will be looking to become just the second Cardinal in history to repeat that effort for three seasons.

Although Andrew Luck garnered all the attention last season, it was the physicality and finesse by Taylor that allowed for the passing game to open. With Luck now gone, Taylor figures to be they key piece of Stanford's attack. He uses his great vision and pure force to blow through defenders while also demonstrating the ability to cut to the outside and maneuver his way through tackles.

Though the Cardinal may no longer have Luck, they can feel confident in their ability to produce because Taylor is still on the team.

Kenjon Barner: Oregon Ducks

Experience: 3 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 152

Yards: 939

Average: 6.2 yards/attempt

TD: 11

Profile:

Another player hidden behind greatness, Kenjon Barner of the Oregon Ducks will be looking to make a name for himself and prove to the college football nation that he is just as complete a player as his predecessor and good friend, LaMichael James.

Although James received the most attention for the Ducks last season, Barner has always been instrumental in forwarding the Oregon attack. When James went down with an injury, Barner came in and showcased his own set of skills.

A great receiver out of the backfield, Barner is rumored to have more true speed than James while perhaps lacking in his ability to cut as fast as the now 49er. Incorporated within Chip Kelly's spread offense, expect Barner to have a breakout senior year as he uses his speed and strength to find the outside and burn defenders en route to a magnificent season that should see him rush for well over 1,000 yards.

Curtis McNeal: USC Trojans

Experience: 2 years 

2011 Statistics (Rushing)

Attempts: 145

Yards: 1,005

Averages: 6.9 yards/attempt

TD: 6

Profile:

After sitting out the 2010 season, McNeal came back with a bang as he rushed for over 1,000 yards to the tune of 6.9 yards per carry and six touchdowns.

Another small back, McNeal has demonstrated that he can more than dominate college football defenses. Though Matt Barkley will garner most of the attention as part of the USC offense, McNeal should be able to use his elusiveness, speed and toughness to take advantage of teams that look to key on the USC passing attack.

McNeal is one of the more complete players in college football and should be right in contention for the Doak Walker Award come the end of the season. Look for him to help restore the "Tailback-U" title to USC this year and beyond.