Doak Walker frontrunner? Syracuse RB Sean Tucker leads nation in multiple key areas

Syracuse running back Sean Tucker is having a season to remember.

Tucker has been a bright spot amidst an otherwise frustrating season for the Orange this year. Syracuse is 4-4 overall but 1-3 in conference play heading into the home stretch of the 2021 campaign.

All three of Syracuse’s ACC losses have come by exactly three points.

Tucker is a big reason for the (limited) success that Syracuse has had this year. He’s the nation’s leading rusher at 1,060 yards and the only player so far to surpass the 1,000-yard benchmark.

He’s also scored 10 touchdowns so far this season. Seven his 10 scores have been on runs of more than 10+ yards — a figure that leads the nation, according to Pro Football Focus.

If Tucker keeps up his current pace, he’s likely to be a strong candidate for the D

oak Walker Award at the end of the year.

Syracuse has never had a Doak Walker recipient, which has been handed out to the nation’s top running back since 1990. Of course, Ernie Davis was a consensus All-American running back in both 1960 and 1961. Jim Brown was as well in 1956.

Tucker is closing in on Syracuse’s single-season rushing record, too. That mark is 1,372 yards, which was set by Joe Morris back in 1979.

Tucker and the Orange will be back in action again on Saturday as they host Boston College at 3:30 p.m. ET.