University of Miami junior running back Duke Johnson was named the Atlantic Coast Conference's Brian Piccolo Award recipient on Thursday morning.
In memory of Brian Piccolo, a former ACC and NFL player whose career and life was cut short by cancer in 1970, the honor has been given annually since 1970 to the "most courageous" football player in the league.
Johnson sustained a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle in November 2013 against the Florida State Seminoles. Prior to the season-ending injury, he had rushed for 920 yards in less than eight games.
The 5-foot-9, 206-pounder bounced back in 2014, finishing second in the ACC with 1,520 rushing yards thanks in part to seven straight 100-yard games. He tallied 12 total touchdowns this year. Last Saturday, he became the program's all-time leading rusher (3,387). Johnson also holds UM's all-purpose yards mark.
Aside from this accolade, Johnson is semifinalist for the Doak Walker and Walter Camp Player of the Year Awards that highlight the nation's top back and best overall player. He was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week on Oct. 27, following his career-high 249 yards against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Johnson was the first Miami running back to surpass 200 yards in a game since Willis McGahee in 2002.
Three other Hurricanes have won the award in the past: Frank Gore (2004), Glenn Sharpe (2006) and Shayon Green (2012). Johnson will be presented with the award at the ACC's Night of Legends event on Friday night as part of ACC Championship festivities
"To come back from this type of injury is in and of itself a great accomplishment," head coach Al Golden said in a statement. "To come back bigger, faster, stronger and better is truly remarkable. We could not be more proud of Duke Johnson. The sacrifice and determination he exhibited during his nine-month rehabilitation exemplifies why he is considered one of the game's elite running backs and truly deserving of this award."
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