BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Samford senior running back Fabian Truss has been named to the College Football Performance Awards' (CFPA) preseason watch list for its Running Back Award, the organization announced on Monday.
 
The Running Back Award goes to the top running back in all of Division I-FCS football. Truss is one of just three running backs from Southern Conference schools to make the list, and he is also one of three from Alabama schools to be named to the list. This is the second year in a row Truss has been named to the CFPA's Preseason Watch List.
 
Truss, who also serves the team as a kick returner, rushed for 1,063 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 96.6 yards per game. At the conclusion of the season, Truss was named second team All-Conference by the Southern Conference's coaches and media.
 
As a kick returner, Truss ranked third in the SoCon, averaging 27.1 yards per return. Overall, Truss led the league in all-purpose yards per game, averaging 179.8 yards per contest. Truss was also named second team All-SoCon by the media as a kick returner.
 
Truss helped lead Samford to a 7-4 overall record in 2012, the program's best mark since 2003. The Bulldogs went 5-3 in SoCon play, the team's best league record since joining the SoCon in 2008.
 
Truss and the Bulldogs will open the 2013 season on Friday, Aug. 30, taking on Georgia State in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. A kick-off time for the game will be set later this summer.