Audric Estime snubbed from list of Doak Walker Award semifinalists
Audric Estime was left off the list of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award on Tuesday.
The Notre Dame running back has been one of the most consistent and productive running backs in the country this season. His absence from the semifinalists is a surprise given how dominant he’s been in Notre Dame’s backfield this season.
Here’s the full list of 10 semifinalists who made the cut above Estime:
Doak Walker Award semifinalists (best RB):
Jonathon Brooks, Texas
Tajh Brooks, Texas Tech
Marcus Carroll, Ga. State
Blake Corum, Michigan
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Omarion Hampton, UNC
R.J. Harvey, UCF
Damien Martinez, Oregon State
Cody Shrader, Mizzou
Kimani Vidal, Troy— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) November 21, 2023
Estime has rushed for 1,103 yards and 14 touchdowns so far this season. Perhaps the most surprising name to make the top 10 over Estime is Texas’ Jonathon Brooks, who tore his ACL earlier this month.
Two players who made the cut over Estime — Georgia State’s Marcus Carroll and Troy’s Kimani Vidal — play outside of the Power 5. Additionally, both of those players have been less-efficient on a per-carry basis than Estime has been this season. Estime is averaging 5.96 yards per carry this season, which is better than four of the semifinalists.
Estime and Notre Dame will be in action again on Saturday vs. Stanford.