Michigan State running back LJ Scott named to Doak Walker Award watch list

LJ Scott has been a big part of the Michigan State rushing attack the last two seasons.

And Scott's strong finish to his sophomore year has led to him earning recognition as one of the nation's best running backs.

Scott, a junior, was named Thursday to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which is given annually to the nation's top running back. The preseason honor is the second for Scott, who was named to the Maxwell Award watch list last week.

The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Scott, who was one of 61 players named to the Doak Walker watch list, enters his junior season with 1,693 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in 26 career games. He led MSU with 994 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns last season while earning third team All-Big Ten recognition.

Scott rushed for more than 100 yards in four of MSU's final six games last season and averaged 109.7 yards per contest during that stretch.

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.