Miami, FL (My Sportsbook) - Willis McGahee of Miami-Florida, Chris Brown of Colorado and Larry Johnson of Penn State have been named finalists for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's best running back.

McGahee, a sophomore tailback, ranks sixth nationally in rushing (134.6 yards per game) and third in scoring (11.5 points per game). He has rushed for 1,481 yards and scored 21 touchdowns this year to help defending national champion Miami reach a No. 1 ranking in the polls. He has rushed for at least 100 yards nine times this year.

Brown, a junior from Naperville, Illinois, ranks third in the nation in rushing, averaging 158.6 yards per game. He has rushed for 1,744 yards, the second most in Colorado history, and scored 18 touchdowns this year while leading the Buffaloes to the Big 12 North Division title. Brown has nine 100- yard rushing games this season, including a season-high 309 against Kansas on October 12.

Johnson, a senior from State College, Pennsylvania, has rushed for 2,015 yards, averaging 8.0 yards per carry, and scored 23 touchdowns this year. He is the ninth player in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. His 167.9 yards per game on the ground leads the nation. He has eight 100-yard rushing games including four with more than 200 yards this season, and a record-setting 327 against Indiana on Nov. 16.

The winner will be announced December 12th. Luke Staley of BYU won the award last year.