Kansas State senior running back John Hubert was named a candidate for the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top college running back for the second-straight year, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Thursday.

Hubert, one of 63 players nationally and nine from the Big 12 up for the award, is K-State’s fourth two-time candidate, joining J.J. Smith (1993 and 1994), Darren Sproles (2003 runner-up, 2004) and Daniel Thomas (2009, 2010 semifinalist).

A product of Waco, Texas, Hubert ranked fourth in the Big 12 in rushing at 72.8 yard per game last season, while he had 15 rushing touchdowns to finish third. Also a candidate for the Maxwell Award and a Preseason All-Big 12 pick, Hubert earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2012 from the league’s coaches and enters the 2013 season just 15 yards shy of K-State’s career top-10 for rushing yardage.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name the semifinalists on November 14, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will cast votes to determine the finalists, who will be announced on November 25. The committee will cast a second vote beginning on December 2 to determine the recipient, while the winner will be announced as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN on December 12.

Kansas State travels to Dallas to participate in the 2013 Big 12 Football Media Days on Monday. Representing the Wildcats along with head coach Bill Snyder will be wide receiver Tyler Lockett, defensive back Ty Zimmerman, center B.J. Finney and linebacker Tre Walker. Complete media day coverage will be available at both www.k-statesports.com and www.big12sports.com.

The Wildcats kick off the 2013 campaign and open the new West Stadium Center by taking on back-to-back FCS National Champion North Dakota State on Friday, August 30. The contest is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m., and will be televised by nationally by FOX Sports 1.

— KSU Sports Information —