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Georgia Tech Football: Two Jackets named to Doak Walker Award watch list

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 25: Running back Jordan Mason #24 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 25: Running back Jordan Mason #24 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rushes against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 25, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /
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Two Georgia Tech running backs have found themselves on the 2019 watch list for one of the nation’s most prestigious awards, the Doak Walker Award.

The Doak Walker Award is handed out annually to the nation’s best running back and Georgia Tech has two running backs representing the Jackets on the watch list. Junior Jerry Howard and sophomore Jordan Mason were both named to the list on Wednesday afternoon.

Howard is entering 2019 coming off a solid 2018 campaign as a sophomore that saw him rack up 564-yards and five touchdowns last season. While he never broke the 100-yard mark last season, he had several notable performances including games against Pittsburgh, Louisville, Duke, Virginia Tech, and North Carolina. His role in 2019 will be interesting, the Jackets are in need of a fullback style back and Howard would fit that mold.

Mason had a breakout redshirt freshman season for the Jackets after running back KirVonte Benson went down with an ACL tear in their second game against the USF Bulls. Mason quickly became the starting running back and rushed for 659-yards and seven touchdowns as the Jackets primary running back. At one point it appeared Mason could get to 1,000 yards last season with rather ease but the Jackets towards the end of the season began using Mason less and less. In their bowl game, Mason had just five carries for 19-yards. Mason appears to be the likely candidate to become the Jackets primary running back in 2019.

MORE: Four Yellow Jackets depart program with latest roster installment.

Looking at the watchlist, it will be quite hard for Howard and Mason to make their mark and it will require major seasons from them if they wish to become finalists or even winners for their award handed out by Southern Methodist University. A look at the list and early favorites for the award would most likely be Travis Etienne (Clemson), Najee Harris (Alabama), D’Andre Swift (Georgia), and defending winner Jonathan Taylor (Wisconsin). All three running backs look destined for big seasons in 2019 and will be major pieces to each of their program’s respective offenses.

The award has been handed out since 1990 and a Yellow Jacket has never won the award. Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin will look to become the award’s third back-to-back winner joining Darren McFadden (Arkansas – 2006, 2007) and Ricky Williams (Texas – 1997, 1998).