Josh Ferguson Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

Illinois junior running back Josh Ferguson has been named to the watch list for the 2014 Doak Walker Award, given to the top college football running back.

The 5-foot-10 Ferguson played in 12 games and totaled 44.6 receiving yards per game. That number ranked second in the Football Subdivision (FBS) last season among running backs. His 535 receiving yards broke the school's single-season record while his 800-yard career total already ranks him second in school history among running backs.

The Joliet Catholic product led the Fighting Illini in rushing yards (64.9 per game), rushing touchdowns (seven) and total touchdowns (11) in 2013. In his freshman season, he played in the first three games before suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss the next 10 games. He has rushed for 1,143 yards (45.7 per game) and managed seven touchdowns on the ground in his Illini career.

Ferguson is one of eight Big Ten running backs on the 53-player watch list. The other seven running backs are Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska), Bill Belton (Penn State), David Cobb (Minnesota), Tevin Coleman (Indiana), Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin), Jeremy Langford (Michigan State), and Zach Zwinak (Penn State).

2014 Illinois Preseason Honors

V'Angelo Bentley, CB/KR/PR - Paul Hornung Award (Most versatile player)

Josh Ferguson, RB - Doak Award (RB)

Matt La Cosse, TE - CFPA Tight End Watch List

Mason Monheim, LB - Butkus Award (LB)

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