[Gotham Dark Knight]

Darius Walker from Notre Dame is a 25-1 shot to win the Hiesman. The 5'10 -208 lb back is ranked rated 16th nationally among 2006 running backs by Lindy's, 19th by The Sporting News ... Walker has shown remarkable consistency in his two years running for for 1,982 yards and 16 TDs in two seasons at Notre Dame ... He currently ranks 13th in Notre Dame history for career rushing yards ... has rushed for 100 or more yards in a game nine times in his Irish career ... is averaging 86.2 rushing yards per game for his career.

So is this guy over shadowed by Brady Quinn?...and how high will he go in the draft?

[EmpireWF]

I can't see him getting majority of the consideration only because of Brady Quinn. Quinn has to be the favorite going into the season and he'd have to perform terribly to not get it. Unless Walker just has one of those rare outstanding years.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I can't see him getting majority of the consideration only because of Brady Quinn. Quinn has to be the favorite going into the season and he'd have to perform terribly to not get it. Unless Walker just has one of those rare outstanding years.

Quinn does cast a shadow...the kid will not touch the ball enough to get there...

[Lefty Noob]

Man, its gotta be tough when you're not even the best Heisman candidate on your own team. Walker doesn't have much of a shot, unless Quinn gets hurt or something and the Irish suddenly become a run-first team. Even then, does he have the talent to put up big numbers against some of the tough defenses Notre Dame will be facing.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Man, its gotta be tough when you're not even the best Heisman candidate on your own team. Walker doesn't have much of a shot, unless Quinn gets hurt or something and the Irish suddenly become a run-first team. Even then, does he have the talent to put up big numbers against some of the tough defenses Notre Dame will be facing.

What about the Doak Walker or some other award?

[bautch24]

Remember he is only a Junior, and will be the leading heisman canditate on this yeam a year from now. I think DW has the goods, and ND has the O line, but we also have some guy named Brady Quinn and a couple other studs by the names of Samardzija and McKnight.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by bautch24

Remember he is only a Junior, and will be the leading heisman canditate on this yeam a year from now. I think DW has the goods, and ND has the O line, but we also have some guy named Brady Quinn and a couple other studs by the names of Samardzija and McKnight.

Maybe they should split the campaign one this year, one next year. How high in the draft will this guy go?

[bautch24]

It's hard to say how high he goes in the draft. He doesnt have great size or speed, but he is great at reading holes, and breaking arm tackles. He is also good catching passes out of the backfield. I think that 1st round is not out of the question, and 1st day is a lock as long as he plays like he has been. He is good right now, and could be great.

[Lefty Noob]

True, Walker's a junior, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back with the Irish next season. I guess it all depends on how well both he and the team do in 2006. Currently, I don't think he's a Doak Walker candidate - not with Peterson, Irons, Michael Bush, Lynch, Slaton, Hart, et. al. around. Too many good running backs this year, all of whom will put up far better numbers than Walker.

[david murray]

Good point--Walker may opt to enter the NFL draft after this season and skip his final year of eligibility. If he stays I'd say he has a far better shot at the Heisman next year and should end up as Notre Dame's all time leading rusher.

[Lefty Noob]

Good first game thus far for Walker - with over 4:00 to go in the fourth quarter, he has 20 carries for 90-plus yards and a TD, with at least one big run called back due to a stupid penalty. He should go over 100 yards against what has been a tough, tough Georgia Tech defense. What do you think of Walkers performance in the Irish opener?

[david murray]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Good first game thus far for Walker - with over 4:00 to go in the fourth quarter, he has 20 carries for 90-plus yards and a TD, with at least one big run called back due to a stupid penalty. He should go over 100 yards against what has been a tough, tough Georgia Tech defense. What do you think of Walkers performance in the Irish opener?

Tremendous, gritty performance. Ga. Tech has some tough guys, especially that middle lb.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Good first game thus far for Walker - with over 4:00 to go in the fourth quarter, he has 20 carries for 90-plus yards and a TD, with at least one big run called back due to a stupid penalty. He should go over 100 yards against what has been a tough, tough Georgia Tech defense. What do you think of Walkers performance in the Irish opener?

Good stuff, but not the kind that is going to move those Hesiman odds any closer than 25:1...too many kids having great games out there...

[Lefty Noob]

The numbers aren't all that impressive, but the way that he took over that game in the second half, especially against that gritty Ramblin' Wreck defense, was mighty impressive. And again, those rushing stats would've been higher if not for some dumb penalties. I'll say this much - Walker impressed me a whole lot more than Quinn did!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The numbers aren't all that impressive, but the way that he took over that game in the second half, especially against that gritty Ramblin' Wreck defense, was mighty impressive. And again, those rushing stats would've been higher if not for some dumb penalties. I'll say this much - Walker impressed me a whole lot more than Quinn did!

I only caught glimpses of the game...so I am gonig by final stats...I would venture to say that if he was a force in the second half, and the Irish are always on TV etc...that his chances to catch the voters eyes are maximized...right.