{"id":82727,"date":"2025-11-19T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=82727"},"modified":"2025-11-19T14:00:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T19:00:08","slug":"two-big-ten-running-backs-make-doak-walker-semifinalist-cut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2025\/11\/19\/two-big-ten-running-backs-make-doak-walker-semifinalist-cut\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Big Ten Running Backs Make Doak Walker Semifinalist Cut"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Big Ten does a lot of things well, as a whole. Ohio State sends wide receivers to the NFL at an elite clip, Wisconsin had a run of ridiculously good offensive linemen, while Michigan and Penn State have had incredible defensive talents come through. Another thing that the conference does as a whole is produce running backs. Each year, the Doak Walker Award goes to the most outstanding running back in the country. Surprisingly, only two Big Ten backs made the cut.<\/p>\n

Notably, neither of Penn State’s star duo nor either of Michigan’s breakout stars were honored. Nevertheless, the Big Ten, SEC, and American all have two Doak Walker Award semifinalists. The Big 12, Conference USA, Mountain West, and Independents each send one.<\/p>\n

In the history of the award, nine players have taken home 10 awards while wearing the Big Ten logo on their chests.<\/p>\n

Two Big Ten Running Backs Make Doak Walker Semifinalist Cut<\/h2>\n

Emmett Johnson, Nebraska<\/h3>\n

To this point in Emmett Johnson<\/a>‘s career, he’s been a rotational back. In 2023 and 2024, he put up modest numbers. Across those two seasons, he amassed 1,009 yards and three touchdowns on 207 carries.<\/p>\n

This year, he is breaking out for the Huskers’ offense. Leading an offense that has been otherwise disappointing, Johnson has been the star of the show. It’s going to be even more evident down the stretch due to Dylan Raiola’s injury. In 10 games, Johnson has carried the ball 203 times for 1,131 yards and has scored 11 times. He leads the way in the Big Ten in both carries and yards. Nationally, he is sixth and fifth, respectively, heading into Week 13.<\/p>\n

Johnson has six 100-yard performances to his ledger thus far this year. He has done so in three straight games and in four of his last five.<\/p>\n

As a receiver, Johnson is sitting with 300 yards and three touchdowns on 36 receptions this year.<\/p>\n

Johnson is also a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award. If he wins the Doak Walker Award, he would become the first in Nebraska’s program history.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Antwan Raymond, Rutgers<\/h3>\n

Another breakout in the Big Ten, who is not getting nearly as much love as he deserves, Antwan Raymond<\/a> has been a force for an otherwise bad Rutgers team. Last year, Johnson burned his redshirt by appearing in 10 games and amassing 467 yards and eight scores on 100 carries. This year, he’s been even better with a ramped-up snap count.<\/p>\n

In 10 games, Raymond has 1,0000 yards and 11 touchdowns on 20 carries. He and Johnson are the only Big Ten backs with at least 1,000 yards on the year, with two weeks to go in the regular season. He doesn’t do as much as a receiver with just 163 yards and one touchdown on 15 catches.<\/p>\n

Raymond has three 100-yard games for the Scarlet Knights. However, his most recent was his most impressive. Rutgers put the offense on his back in the 35-20 over Maryland. The sophomore back ran the ball 41 times for 240 yards and a score. He has four multi-touchdown games as well.<\/p>\n

As with Johnson, if Raymond takes home the award, he would become the first Rutgers Scarlet Knight to do so.<\/p>\n

The Rest<\/h3>\n