Tennessee senior running back Travis Henry is one of 35 preseason candidates for this year's Doak Walker Award presented by Vectrix, presented annually to the nation's top running back.

Henry rushed for 790 yards and scored 8 touchdowns last season playing much of the season behind Jamal Lewis at the Vol tailback spot. He rushed for over 100 yards in three of the final four games last season, earning the starting nod in the final two regular season games and the Fiesta Bowl against Nebraska. Henry rushed for a season-high 179 yards, including a 61-yard run, in the Vols' win at Kentucky. He had rolled up 153 yards in the first half against Vanderbilt last season, before suffering a second quarter neck injury to forced him to miss the second half.

Henry and Lewis combined to help the Vols lead the Southeastern Conference in rushing, averaging 191.3 yards per game. As a sophomore, Henry stepped in for an injured Lewis and rushed for 970 yards en route to helping lead the Vols to a 13-0 mark and the 1998 National Championship.

The Frostproof, Fla., native enters his final season with 1764 career yards, ranking 12th on the Vols' all-time rushing list. He needs just 236 yards to become the 11th UT player to rush for over 2000 career yards.

The Southwestern Bell-SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select eight semifinalists Nov. 8 and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will ultimately vote on the winner in late November. The selection committee consists of former All-Pro and All-America running backs, print and electronic media members and selected special representatives.

The winner of the 2000 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show Dec. 7. The Doak Walker Presentation Banquet will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas Jan. 30, 2001.