A pair of former Franklinton High School football players have been named to the Doak Walker Watch list.

Louisiana State University senior Terrence Magee and Mississippi State University redshirt junior Josh Robinson have been named to the award’s watch list, which is presented annually to the nation’s top running back.

Both players, who are 2011 Franklinton graduates and played on the Demons’ 2010 state championship team, turned in solid seasons in the 2013 campaign.

Robinson finished with 78 rushing attempts for 459 yards (5.9 average) and three scores.

Magee enters this season after running 86 times for 626 yards last season (7.3 yards per carry) for the Tigers with eight touchdowns.

Robinson said it feels good to be on the list, but added that he’s got to handle his business.

Robinson said the key to his successful year last season was his coach.

“My coach (running backs coach Greg Knox) taught me to trust the system,” Robinson said. “I’m trusting the coaches and the system and I’m just adding a little J-Rob to it.”

Last season, the Bulldogs went 7-6 overall and 3-5 in Southeastern Conference play. Mississippi State went to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn., and downed Rice 44-7. Robinson made the most of his three carries in that game, running for 45 yards.

Robinson said he’s very excited about the upcoming season.

“I’m ready for the season,” Robinson said. “We just need to get through camp, stay healthy and prepare for Aug. 30 (opener against Southern Mississippi University). We’ve got to win game one first.”

Being named to the Doak Walker Award watch list was just one of the accolades for Magee, who had a memorable week.

Magee was also named a second-team all-purpose runner in the Southeastern Conference’s Media Preseason Teams, he is on the cover of the Tigers’ Media Guide and was also one of three Tigers featured at the SEC Media Days.

Magee talked about the key to his 2013 campaign.

“Just staying patient and working hard to perfect my craft and being ready when my number was called,” Magee said.

Magee said being named to the award watch list is an honor.

“They have a lot of great backs in the country. To be mentioned with these guys is a great honor,” Magee said.

When asked about being named to the preseason team, Magee said it’s a thing of motivation.

“It’s an honor to be named preseason (second team), but I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Magee said. “Hopefully at the end of the season, I’ll be a first-teamer.”

As far as the media guide, Magee said he didn’t find out until he went to Media Day, which occurred Wednesday.

“It’s just a big honor to be able to represent LSU and my team,” Magee said.

Magee said he didn’t have a big reaction when he found out, but was honored that they thought enough of him to put him on the cover.

Magee said Media Day was crazy.

“The two weeks of preparations, they told us about the cameras,” Magee said. “I didn’t think there was anyway it would be that big, but there are cameras all over from the time you step off of the bus.”

Magee said he had a lot of fun at Media Day.

“All of the questions were good,” Magee said. “The media was a lot of fun. It was real laid back. Some questions were funny, but sometimes we did get serious.”

LSU enters this year after going 10-3 last season overall and 5-3 in SEC play. The Tigers went to the Outback Bowl in Tampa Bay, Fla., where they defeated Iowa 21-14. Magee ran seven times for 12 yards in that game.

LSU opens this season in Houston, facing Wisconsin Aug. 30.

Franklinton coach Shane Smith, whose team finished 10-3 and made the state quarterfinals last year, spoke very highly of both players.

“I think everybody knows that they are extremely talented with similar skillsets, but with subtle differences that people who follow football closely would notice,” Smith said. “I was on LSU’s campus this week and spoke to coach Miles. Everybody you talk to about Terrence, it’s the same response. He’s a kid of great character, he’s got a great work ethic and he’s very disciplined. The biggest thing is they have the respect of their coaches and teammates. Being a talented running back helps, but they obviously are doing things the right way off of the field. I don’t think you can say enough about how important it is to do things the right way off of the field.”

Smith said that is a credit to their family, the school and the community.

FHS begins the 2014 season Sept. 5 on the road against Tylertown in Mississippi. The home opener is Sept. 12 against Covington.