As a junior, Husker running back Rex Burkhead was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s best running back. This season, he’s one of 52 backs across the nation to make the preseason watch list for the honor. Burkhead rushed for 1,357 yards and scored 17 total touchdowns last season, earning first-team All-Big Ten accolades. He enters his senior season twelfth on the all-time rushing yards list at Nebraska. Burkhead also fits the criteria for the Walker Award off the field. The Walker Award is the only major postseason award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on track to graduate on time. Burkhead fits that bill and then some. He was a first-team academic All-American last season, owns a 3.388 grade point average, and is on target to graduate in December.