Gray and Michael Named Doak Walker Award Candidates

July 15, 2011

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - For the second straight season Texas A&M running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael were selected as candidates for the prestigious Doak Walker Award as the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced its official list of preseason candidates Friday.

The Doak Walker Award is currently in its 22nd year and is presented annually to the nation's top running back. Following the announcement of 10 semifinalists on Nov. 11, the award winner will be announced on Dec. 8 during a nationally televised ceremony.

Gray burst onto the national scene as a junior in 2010 by rushing for seven consecutive 100-yard games to close the season. The DeSoto, Texas, native finished with 1,133 yards and 12 touchdowns to become the first Aggie to rush for over 1,000 yards since Courtney Lewis in 2003. Additionally, Gray added 251 yards on 34 receptions to become only the second player in school history (Darren Lewis) to eclipse the 5,000-yard plateau in career all-purpose yards. Following the season Gray received multiple All-Big 12 accolades, including second team honors from The Associated Press.

Christine Michael

During an injury-shorten 2010 campaign, Michael was impressive early in the year and gave the Aggies a lethal combination in the backfield. The Beaumont, Texas, native rushed for 631 yards on 126 carries before suffering a season-ending injury against Texas Tech on Oct. 30. Selected as the 2009 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Michael will enter his junior season with 1,475 career rushing yards.

Texas A&M football will kick off its 2011 campaign on Sept. 4 when the Aggies host former Southwest Conference rival SMU at Kyle Field.

National Award Watch Lists (As of 7/15/2011)

Doak Walker Award (best running back):
RB Cyrus Gray
RB Christine Michael

Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman or linebacker):
DE Tony Jerod-Eddie
OL Luke Joeckel
LB Garrick Williams

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back):
CB Coryell Judie

Bronko Nagurski Award (best defensive player):
CB Coryell Judie

Maxwell Award (outstanding player):
WR Jeff Fuller
RB Cyrus Gray
QB Ryan Tannehill

Bednarik Award (outstanding defensive player):
CB Coryell Judie

Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver):
WR Jeff Fuller WR Ryan Swope

Lou Groza Award (outstanding placekicker):
PK Randy Bullock

Pony Express Award (outstanding pair or trio):
QB Ryan Tannehill, RB Cyrus Gray, WR Jeff Fuller

College Football Performance Awards:
Coryell Judie (kickoff return and defensive back)
Dustin Harris (punt return and defensive back)
Damontre Moore (linebacker)
Ryan Tannehill (quarterback)
Cyrus Gray (running back)
Jeff Fuller (wide receiver)
Ryan Swope (wide receiver)