Barner on Doak Walker Awark Watch List

Senior Oregon running back Kenjon Barner was named to the Doak Walker Award Watch list according to a media release from the University of Oregon Athletic Department. Barner is one of 52 players from across the country on the list for an award that was won by Oregon's LaMichael James in 2010 as the nation's top running back.

Others on the list include 2011 Walker Award winner Montee Ball of Wisconsin. Also Rex Burkhead of Nebraska, Zach Line of SMU and Joseph Randle of Oklahoma State, all of whom were semi-finalist for the award in 2011.

Kenjon Barner was the second leading rusher for the Ducks in 2011 with 939 yards and was also the third leading all-purpose yardage producer for the team averaging 102.7 ypg. Currently Barner is ninth on the Ducks' career all-purpose yards with 3,825 yards.

Even though he was considered a back up to James for the last three years, Barner is easily recognized as one of the top players in the country as evidenced by him also being on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the nation's outstanding college football player

According to Thursday's media release semifinalists for the award will be identified on Nov. 9, with finalists to be announced Nov. 26. The recipient of the award, named after SMU three-time All-America running back Doak Walker, will be announced Dec. 6 as part of ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards show in Orlando, Fla.