Kentucky’s Boom Williams, Alabama’s Damien Harris candidates for Doak Walker Award

University of Kentucky junior Boom Williams and Alabama sophomore Damien Harris from Madison Southern were among 77 players named preseason candidates Thursday for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top running back.

Also named to the list were sophomore D’Andre Ferby and senior Anthony Wales of Western Kentucky

Heisman Trophy candidates Leonard Fournette of LSU and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford headline the list, both having been Doak Walker finalists last season.

Williams rushed for 855 yards in 10 games in 2015, totaling six touchdowns and a school-record 7.1 yards per carry average. He had five games of more than 100 yards rushing in 2015, including a career-high 140 yards on 16 carries in a win over Charlotte.

The recipient of the Doak Walker Award will be announced live on the College Football Awards show on Dec. 8.

The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Kentucky’s Boom Williams, Alabama’s Damien Harris candidates for Doak Walker Award."