DALLAS – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum named BYU running back Lopini Katoa a preseason candidate for the 2020 Doak Walker Award on Wednesday.
The Forum annually presents the award to the nation’s top college running back. Katoa earned the preseason honor for the second-consecutive season after being named a 2019 candidate.
A junior, Katoa has been one of the Cougars’ most versatile weapons over the past two seasons. The American Fork, Utah, product has accounted for 1,390 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns over the past two seasons. In 2020, Katoa ran for 358 yards and four touchdowns, had 288 receiving yards and one score and added 207 kick return yards.
Former BYU running back Luke Staley won the Doak Walker Award in 2001 with 1,582 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns.