College football season is around the corner, which means it's officially that time for preseason award watch lists.
Arizona Wildcats running back Michael Wiley was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list Wednesday morning. The Doak Walker Award is given to the top running back in college football nationally.
Wiley is coming off a 2020 season where the sophomore rushed for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries as a complementary running back to Gary Brightwell, who was drafted by the New York Giants in May.
Wiley's top performance at Arizona was 122 yards on seven rushes in a 24-13 loss to Colorado on Dec. 5.
Winner of the Doak Walker Award will be announced at the College Football Awards at the end of the season.
With Wiley preserving his sophomore year, the Houston native will lead a running back group that's arguably the deepest position for the Wildcats heading into Jedd Fisch's first season as head coach. Wiley will be accompanied by Northwestern transfer Drake Anderson, Bam Smith, Jalen John and freshmen Stevie Rocker and James Bohls.
Contact sports producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter: @JustinESports