Duke Football: Brittain Brown named to Doak Walker Award watch list

In the first season as the featured running back, expectations are high for Brittain Brown. The redshirt sophomore was named as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award.

The Doak Walker Award has been given out every year since 1989 to the top running back in college football, for his achievements both on and off the field. This is an award Duke Blue Devils’ running back Brittain Brown probably has his sights set on in 2018 after being named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.

This upcoming season, Brown has high expectations after an impressive freshman season. He finished with 701 rushing yards, averaging 5.4 yards a carry and finished the year with seven rushing touchdowns.

He had two 100-yard rushing games and in games he had double digit carries, the Blue Devils were 7-2. On the other side of the coin, the Blue Devils were 0-4 in games that Brown had single digit carries. He also finished the year with a touchdown in the final four games, including one in the Quick Lane Bowl.

Brown coming out of high school was a four-star recruit, according to ESPN, and was the 18th best at position in his class.

This Blue Devils’ offense has some great potential with a veteran like Daniel Jones, who was named to Maxwell Award watch list, at quarterback and Brown helping him out of the backfield.

The biggest question for Brown entering this season will be if he is able to remain as effective and explosive as he did as a freshman. The increased workload means he will likely see his yards per carry drop but as long as he is able to handle the extra hits, he should be one of the top running backs in the ACC.

Next: Duke Football: Daniel Jones named to Maxwell Award watch list

If Brown were to win, he would be the first Blue Devil to do so. He also would be joining a group of running backs that includes Bryce Love (2017), D’Onta Freeman (2016), Derrick Henry (2015), and Melvin Gordon (2014).