The following is a press release sent out by Iowa State athletic communications.
DALLAS, TEXAS – The PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Thursday that Iowa State running back James White is one of 52 preseason candidates for the 2012 Doak Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college running back.
White earned Honorable mention All-Big 12 honors from the league’s coaches in 2011. He led Iowa State with 743 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. White, a native of Dallas, Texas, had seven carries of over 25 yards. He also contributed 21 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. White scored two touchdowns in overtime in Iowa State’s 44-41 triple-overtime victory over Iowa last season, including four-yard option from quarterback Steele Jantz to win the game.
White had a career-best 148 yards rushing and a touchdown at Baylor. He ran for 138 yards and a touchdown at Texas Tech. In the Cyclones’ historic 37-31 double overtime win over No. 2 Oklahoma State last season, White caught his first career touchdown pass on a wheel route from Jared Barnett on the first play of overtime against Oklahoma State. He also rushed for a touchdown against the Cowboys. His 76-yard rushing touchdown at Baylor was Iowa State’s longest offensive play of the 2011 season.
