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HOOVER, Al- University of South Carolina junior running back Marcus Lattimore is one of 52 candidates on the Doak Walker Watch List, it was announced Thursday. The Doak Walker Award is presented annually to the nation’s top running back.

Lattimore, a six-foot, 218-pounder from Duncan, S.C., is a preseason first-team All-SEC selection according to both the league’s coaches and the media. He previously was named to the Maxwell Watch List, which goes to the nation’s outstanding player.

After just two seasons in the Garnet & Black, Lattimore ranks 14th in school history with 2,015 rushing yards, is tied for third with 27 rushing touchdowns and is third with 30 touchdowns scored. He owns eight career 100-yard rushing games. Off the field, he was named the Dr. Harris Pastides Scholar-Athlete for football at the 2012 Garnet & Black Spring Game and was recently nominated for the 2012 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name the semifinalists on November 9, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 19. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on November 26 to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2012 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 6, on ESPN. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held in Dallas, Texas, in February 2013.

The award, in its 23nd year, is named for SMU’s three-time All-America 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.

(USC Sports Information contributed to this report.)