KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A record-setting 2024 season has led Tennessee star Dylan Sampson to become a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to college football’s top running back.
The PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced the 10 semifinalists on Tuesday. Sampson is the only SEC player on the list, and he joins Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech, DJ Giddens of Kansas State, Omarion Hampton of North Carolina, RJ Harvey of UCF, Makhi Hughes of Tulane, Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, Kaleb Johnson of Iowa, Cam Skattebo of Arizona State and Brashard Smith of SMU.
Sampson is Tennessee’s first Doak Walker Award semifinalist since Travis Stephens was a finalist in 2001.
Sampson is the SEC’s leading rusher, averaging 123.0 yards per game and totaling 1,230 rushing yards on 220 carries with a UT record 21 touchdowns. Sampson is tied for second nationally in rushing scores, and he is third in the FBS in total points scored (126) and fourth in points per game (12.6). The Baton Rouge native’s nine 100-yard rushing games this season leads the SEC and ranks second in the nation.
Sampson has already broken the UT single-season record for rushing touchdowns, and he is tied for the school’s single-season mark in total touchdowns. He is 244 yards away from tying Stephens’ UT single-season rushing yards record set in 2001.
Sampson’s toughness and leadership have been on full display all season. A total of 773 of his 1,230 yards have come after contact, and he’s combined for 240 yards on 45 carries with three touchdowns against current top 10 teams No. 7 Alabama and No. 10 Georgia.
Sampson’s numbers are even better in tough SEC play. In seven conference-only games, he is averaging 124.7 yards per game, rushing for 873 yards on 175 carries with 12 touchdowns. He leads the league in all four of those categories. In fact, Sampson’s 21 overall rushing touchdowns are better than 10 SEC team’s entire total for the season.
Three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced on Nov. 26. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.
The recipient of the 2024 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12.
2024 Tennessee Postseason Award Honors as of Nov. 19
DB Will Brooks
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist
QB Nico Iamaleava
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist
WR Bru McCoy
Witten Award Semifinalist
DB Jermod McCoy
Thorpe Award Semifinalist
DE James Pearce Jr.
Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Lombardi Award Semifinalist
Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist
LB Keenan Pili
NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
RB Dylan Sampson
Maxwell Award Semifinalist
Doak Walker Award Semifinalist
Offensive Line
Joe Moore Award Semifinalist
