Marshall University running back Devon Johnson was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List Tuesday for the 2015 season.

The Maxwell Football Club has presented the award annually to the national college football player of the year since 1937. The 2015 Maxwell Watch List includes 80 players.
The senior running back from Richlands, Virginia rushed for 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for the nationally-ranked Thundering Herd. Johnson had 10 games of 100 or more rushing yards, including a school-record 272 yards in an Oct. 25 victory over Florida Atlantic.

 
Johnson’s 8.58 yards per carry topped all FBS running backs who carried more than 150 times during the season. Johnson ranked fifth nationally with 135.9 yards per game and his 1,767 rushing yards ranks second in the university’s history.

 
Johnson was one of 10 semifinalists last season for the Doak Walker Award, which is presented to the nation’s top running back. He led Conference USA in rushing and was voted by league coaches as an all-conference first team selection.

 
The Herd will open the 2015 season 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 against the University of Purdue at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.