The USC Trojans are expected to be a high-flying, pass-heavy offensive team in 2020, with Davey O’Brien Award candidate Kedon Slovis at quarterback, a pair of stud receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, and passing guru Graham Harrell calling the shots as the offensive coordinator.
That doesn’t mean the running game won’t have their chances to succeed, and indeed the media seems to think USC could have a lot of success on the ground in 2020.
Two USC running backs, Stephen Carr and Vavae Malepeai, were placed on the Doak Walker Award watch list, awarded to the nation’s top running back.
Carr has recorded 1,153 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his USC career, along with 47 receptions. He ran for 396 yards and touchdowns last fall and caught 22 passes – while missing three games with a hamstring strain.
He also has returned 15 kickoffs in his career.
RB Stephen Carr named to the @DoakWalkerAward watch list!#FightOn | @yt_deon ✌️ pic.twitter.com/DulDPt57O7
— USC Football (@USC_FB) July 15, 2020
Malepeai has rushed for 1,265 yards and 14 touchdowns in his career, including a team-high 503 yards and six touchdowns in 2019 – despite missing five games with a knee injury. He also has 33 receptions at USC (15 in 2019).
Vavae Malepeai is the 2nd Trojan RB named to the @DoakWalkerAward watch list!#FightOn | @vavaeee ✌️ pic.twitter.com/33akQrZHwT
— USC Football (@USC_FB) July 15, 2020
USC has only had one Doak Walker Award winner, which was of course Reggie Bush in 2005.
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