2020 Doak Walker Award: Jermar Jefferson Selected To Preseason Watch List

Despite a bit of a slower sophomore season after busting out of the gates as a freshman, Oregon State running back Jermar Jefferson was selected to the 2020 Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List on Wednesday, an award given annually to the country’s best running back.

Jefferson is expected to be the full-time option out of the backfield for the Beavers in 2020, after splitting time with Artavis Pierce last season. The 5’ 10”, 210-pounder tallied 10 total touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving) in 2019, while running for 685 yards on 142 carries as a part-time option.

In 2018 as a true freshman, Jefferson carried most of the workload for Oregon State, earning Pac-12’s Freshman Offensive Player of the Year honors. In that year, he rushed 239 times for 1,380 yards and 12 scores, while also receiving 25 passes for 147 more yards, as one of the program’s best all-around play-makers.

While the offensive line in front of him has some questions to answer, with massive talent Brandon Kipper anchoring the front five, Jefferson is in line to return in some ways to his rookie form. A third season in head coach Jonathan Smith’s system should also help with the hopeful stand-out’s comfort level in the offensive schemes.

The winner of the 2020 Doak Walker Award will be announced on December 10th.