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Dontae Smith named to Doak Walker Award watch list

Originally posted on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on SI
By Jackson Caudell | Last updated 8/9/23

The Doak Walker Award Watch List was revealed today and on that list was none other than Georgia Tech running back Dontae Smith.

The Doak Walker Award is handed out at the end of the season to the top running back in the nation and Smith is on that shortlist. He opted to come back for one more season at Georgia Tech and help guide the Yellow Jackets to a winning record. Smith is one of 75 running backs to make the watch list. Smith also made the list last season.

Smith finished with 420 yards and five touchdowns on 80 carries, averaging 4.8 per carry. Smith is explosive when he is healthy and can catch the ball out of the backfield and I would think that he will be the starting back entering the spring. I recently wrote about how Georgia Tech needed to get more explosive in the passing game and that can include Smith. He is a legitimate home run threat when he has the ball in his hands and that will give the Yellow Jackets offense a different dimension that they lacked last year.

Smith has rushed for 1,159 yards in his career for the Yellow Jackets, which ranks 47th all-time at Georgia Tech.

The award’s national selection committee, which is comprised of past recipients, former All-Pro and All-America running backs, media members, and special representatives, will vote for the winner, which will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December (per Georgia Tech PR).

Georgia Tech kicks off its 2023 season against Louisville on Sept. 1st at 7:30 on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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