Jermar Jefferson Named A Doak Walker Semifinalist

DALLAS – Oregon State junior running back Jermar Jefferson is one of 10 players nationally who have been named as Doak Walker Semifinalists, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced on Monday.

The Doak Walker Award is given annually to the nation’s top running back.

Jefferson has 675 rushing yards with seven touchdowns over four games this season. He’s third nationally averaging 168.8 yards per game.

The Harbor City, Calif., native opened the season with four consecutive 100-yard efforts, becoming the first Oregon State running back to do so since Steven Jackson in 2003.

Members of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the 10 semifinalists, with three finalists set to be announced on Dec. 21. A second vote will then be cast and the winner will be announced on Jan. 7 on the Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.

In addition to Monday’s semifinalist recognition, Jefferson has also been selected to the watch lists for the Maxwell Award and the National Performer of the Year by the College Football Performance Awards. He was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll on Nov. 30, just days after breaking a rivalry record with 226 rushing yards against Oregon. In addition, Jefferson is a two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week this season.

Jefferson has 2,740 career rushing yards, which ranks fifth all-time at Oregon State. The 226 yards marked his third career 200-yard effort, tied for the second-most at OSU, while he has 14 career 100-yard games, which is fifth. He has posted 27 rushing touchdowns, also good for fifth.