UConn sophomore running back Nate Carter has been named as one of the preseason candidates for the 2022 Doak Walker Award, presented annually by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum to the nation's top college running back.

Carter (Rochester, N.Y.) was UConn's leading rusher last season, playing all 12 games, carrying the ball 125 times for 578 net yards, averaging 4.6 per carry with two touchdowns. He also added 19 receptions for 127 yards.

Carter's best two games came against UMass, when he gained 136 yards and Vanderbilt, when he rushed for 123 yards.

Carter is in good company on the Walker Award list, which also features Lew Nichols III from Central Michigan, who led the nation in rushing last season, along with 2021 Doak Walker Award semifinalists TreVeyon Henderson of Ohio State, Bijan Robinson of Texas, Sean Tucker of Syracuse and Deuce Vaughn of Kansas State.

The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name 10 semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2022 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards.

The award is named for SMU's three-time All-America running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification.