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DOAK WALKER AWARDS: McFadden is getting comfortable with Dallas
By WENDELL BARNHOUSE
Star-Telegram staff writer
DALLAS -- Darren McFadden's trips to Big D are now above the .500 mark. Come April, he might find out if he continues his Dallas winning streak.
The former Arkansas running back returned Friday to officially accept the 2007 Doak Walker Award. McFadden, who joins Texas' Ricky Williams as the only two-time winner of the Doak Walker Award, was here a year ago.
McFadden sandwiched his award trips around the Razorbacks' 38-7 loss to Missouri in last month's Cotton Bowl. And considering that the Dallas Cowboys are owned by Arkansas alum Jerry Jones, there is considerable speculation that McFadden could wind up being drafted by Dallas.
"I'm getting pretty comfortable here in Dallas," McFadden said. "I obviously don't have any control about where I'll play. But if I was to become a Cowboy, that would be a great thing. I'm just planning to do my best, no matter where I go."
Regardless of his NFL destination, McFadden has encamped in the Metroplex to prepare. He and former teammate Felix Jones -- both gave up their senior seasons to declare for the NFL -- have been working out at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney.
McFadden hasn't decided whether he'll work out at the upcoming NFL Combine. His work in McKinney has concentrated on fine-tuning his form in the 40-yard dash.
Former USC and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Marcus Allen was presented with the Doak Walker Legends Award. Allen said he voted for McFadden for the Walker and Heisman awards.
"The fact that he won this award in consecutive years illustrates his talent and consistency," Allen said. "He wants to have his name mentioned with the greatest players of all time. He's preparing for that, embracing that."
McFadden said that the success that former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson had as an NFL rookie has provided even more incentive.
"Seeing what Adrian Peterson accomplished gives me more drive," said McFadden, whose 4,590 career rushing yards are second in Southeastern Conference history to Herschel Walker. "I want to leave my mark on the NFL like I did in college football."
Briefly USC has had five running backs win the Heisman Trophy, but Allen is the first to receive the Walker Legends Award, which has been presented since 1998.
ESPN's College GameDay crew -- Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit -- were the keynote speakers for the awards dinner for the third consecutive year.
Faces in the crowd: Former Texas coach Fred Akers, NFL.com's Gil Brandt, Notre Dame Heisman winner Tim Brown, former Cowboys safety Cliff Harris, former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, new SMU football coach June Jones.
By WENDELL BARNHOUSE
Star-Telegram staff writer
DALLAS -- Darren McFadden's trips to Big D are now above the .500 mark. Come April, he might find out if he continues his Dallas winning streak.
The former Arkansas running back returned Friday to officially accept the 2007 Doak Walker Award. McFadden, who joins Texas' Ricky Williams as the only two-time winner of the Doak Walker Award, was here a year ago.
McFadden sandwiched his award trips around the Razorbacks' 38-7 loss to Missouri in last month's Cotton Bowl. And considering that the Dallas Cowboys are owned by Arkansas alum Jerry Jones, there is considerable speculation that McFadden could wind up being drafted by Dallas.
"I'm getting pretty comfortable here in Dallas," McFadden said. "I obviously don't have any control about where I'll play. But if I was to become a Cowboy, that would be a great thing. I'm just planning to do my best, no matter where I go."
Regardless of his NFL destination, McFadden has encamped in the Metroplex to prepare. He and former teammate Felix Jones -- both gave up their senior seasons to declare for the NFL -- have been working out at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in McKinney.
McFadden hasn't decided whether he'll work out at the upcoming NFL Combine. His work in McKinney has concentrated on fine-tuning his form in the 40-yard dash.
Former USC and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Marcus Allen was presented with the Doak Walker Legends Award. Allen said he voted for McFadden for the Walker and Heisman awards.
"The fact that he won this award in consecutive years illustrates his talent and consistency," Allen said. "He wants to have his name mentioned with the greatest players of all time. He's preparing for that, embracing that."
McFadden said that the success that former Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson had as an NFL rookie has provided even more incentive.
"Seeing what Adrian Peterson accomplished gives me more drive," said McFadden, whose 4,590 career rushing yards are second in Southeastern Conference history to Herschel Walker. "I want to leave my mark on the NFL like I did in college football."
Briefly USC has had five running backs win the Heisman Trophy, but Allen is the first to receive the Walker Legends Award, which has been presented since 1998.
ESPN's College GameDay crew -- Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit -- were the keynote speakers for the awards dinner for the third consecutive year.
Faces in the crowd: Former Texas coach Fred Akers, NFL.com's Gil Brandt, Notre Dame Heisman winner Tim Brown, former Cowboys safety Cliff Harris, former Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles, new SMU football coach June Jones.
