Each summer, all NCAA Division I-A colleges and universities may nominate running backs from their respective football teams who satisfy the following selection criteria:

* Candidate plays predominantly at the running back position and has made extraordinary contributions to his team.
* Candidate is enrolled in a degree program, is in good academic standing and is on schedule to graduate.
* Candidate holds a record of good citizenship within and beyond the athletic sphere.
* Candidate has demonstrated a record of leadership.
* Candidate exhibits the characteristics of sportsmanship and fair play associated with Doak Walker.

In October, each Division I-A college or university is given the additional opportunity to nominate a candidate or to nominate a replacement for a preseason candidate who may not have performed according to preseason expectations.

Throughout the season, statistical updates are compiled by the Forum office and released to the media and National Selection Committee, which includes sportswriters, television commentators, analysts, radio sports personalities and former All-America and NFL All-Pro football players.

In mid-November, the PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors convenes to review the achievements of all candidates and votes to select ten semifinalists for the Award. The following day, the files of the semifinalists are forwarded to the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, who then votes to determine three finalists. The National Selection Committee will then cast a second vote to determine the winner.

The recipient of the Award is announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN, and presented with the Award at the Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet in Dallas.

Doak Walker epitomized leadership, sportsmanship, and academic and athletic achievement during his storied career at SMU in the late 1940's. Gracing the covers of numerous national magazines, "the Doaker" was a national phenomenon. The versatile Walker, who also punted, returned punts and kickoffs, and kicked extra points, earned All-America honors in 1947, 1948
and 1949. After starting as a freshman in 1945, he missed the 1946
season due to his service in the Army; however, by his junior season, his exploits on the field had become legendary, and in 1948, Walker won the Heisman Trophy.

Because of extraordinary fan interest in Walker, who led the Mustangs to Southwest Conference championships and Cotton Bowl appearances during
the 1947 and 1948 seasons, SMU moved its home football games from
campus to an expanded Cotton Bowl. The Cotton Bowl recognized Walker's achievements with a plaque at its main entrance that reads: "The Cotton Bowl, the House that Doak Built."

Walker received his degree on schedule before reporting to the Detroit Lions
for his rookie season in 1950. As a rookie, he led the NFL in scoring with 128 points. During his six years with the Lions, he led the team to NFL Championships in 1952 and 1953 and was named All-Pro four times. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986. Prior to the 2000 season, Walker's jersey number 37
was the sole number in the history of SMU athletics to be retired.

On September 27, 1998, 50 years to the day after appearing on the cover of Life Magazine, Walker passed away due to complications from a skiing accident.

2013 ANDRE WILLIAMS, BOSTON COLLEGE
2012 - MONTEE BALL - WISCONSIN
2011 - TRENT RICHARDSON, ALABAMA
2010 - LaMICHAEL JAMES, OREGON
2009 - TOBY GERHARD, STANFORD
2008 - SHONN GREENE, IOWA
2007 - DARREN MCFADDEN, ARKANSAS
2006 - DARREN MCFADDEN, ARKANSAS
2005 - REGGIE BUSH, USC
2004 - CEDRIC BENSON, TEXAS
2003 - CHRIS PERRY, MICHIGAN
2002 - LARRY JOHNSON, PENN ST
2001 - LUKE STANLEY, BYU