Photo

Stanford senior running back Stepfan Taylor has been included on the Doak Walker Award Preseason Candidate List.

The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation's top running back. Stanford's Toby Gerhart captured the honor in 2009.

Taylor, from Mansfield, Texas, has rushed for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (2010-11), putting him in select company with Darrin Nelson (1977-78) and Gerhart (2008-09) as the only backs in Stanford history to achieve the feat.

Last year, Taylor amassed 1,330 yards on the ground in 242 attempts, good for 5.5 yards a pop. His yardage total was second-most in Stanford history, behind only Gerhart's 2009 total of 1,871. Taylor's 102.3 rushing yards per game ranked fourth in the Pac-12 and 21st nationally, powering a Cardinal running game that ranked second in the conference with 210.62 rushing yards per game.

With Taylor at the forefront of the powerful ground attack, Stanford went 11-2 in 2011, earning a trip to the Fiesta Bowl, the program's second straight BCS bowl appearance.

Taylor's 2,770 career rushing yards entering the 2012 season leaves him just 1,264 away from breaking Darrin Nelson's all-time Cardinal record.

The PwC SMU Athletic Board will announce the award's semifinalists Nov. 9, followed by the announcement of the three finalists Nov. 19.

The 2012 Doak Walker Award will be presented during "The Home Depot College Football Awards" show airing on ESPN Dec. 6.

Established in 1989, the award is named for SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.

Stanford opens preseason camp Aug. 5. The Cardinal opens the 2012 campaign Friday, Aug. 31, facing San Jose State at 7 p.m. on the Pac-12 Networks.

— Stanford Sports Information

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.