Written by Garin Turner
Wisconsin Badger running back Jonathan Taylor was honored with the 2018 Doak Walker Award given to the best running back in college football. Taylor beat out Travis Etienne from Clemson and Darrell Henderson from Memphis. “Being here is definitely an honor, Taylor said. With the award, Wisconsin ties the University of Texas with four running backs that have received the reward.
Despite a disappointing 7-5 record and a three-way tie for a second-place finish in the Big Ten West, Taylor put up big numbers again just as he did as a freshman last year. His numbers this year have already surpassed last year’s where he rushed 299 times for 1977 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 2018, Taylor has rushed 280 times for 1,989 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is the FBS leading rusher. “It’s just a testimony of how hard the offensive line and I have worked, Taylor said. He’ll have the chance to add to those numbers in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Miami. In last year’s bowl game against Miami, Taylor ran for 130 yards on 26 carries.
Taylor rushed for over 100 yards in 11 out of the 12 games Wisconsin played this year. Northwestern held him to 46 yards on 11 carries. Taylor rushed for over two hundred yards three times on the year. The first time was against New Mexico in the second game of the season where he ran for 253 yards on 33 carries and three touchdowns. He also ran for 221 yards on 24 carries and three touchdowns against Nebraska. Against the Rutgers, Taylor ran for 208 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns. Against Purdue he ran 33 times for 321 yards and three touchdowns in a thrilling triple overtime win. “My vision was to be ready whenever my number was called,” Taylor said.
In addition to the Doak Walker award, Taylor was named 1st-team All-American and the Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He also has set a NCAA record for the most combined rushing yards as a freshman and sophomore with 3,846
