Iowa State tailback Troy Davis has been named one of five finalists for the Heisman Trophy, organizers said Thursday.

An official with New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club, the organization that sponsors the award, said Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier, Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, Ohio State running back Eddie George and Northwestern running back Darnell Autry have also been selected as finalists for college football’s top honor.

An excited Davis said Thursday he wasn’t surprised.

“I was real happy when I found out,” Davis said. “I rushed for 2,000 [yards] and that put me up there. I give credit to the coaching staff, the offensive line and the whole team.”

Davis, a 5-foot 8-inch sophomore from Miami, rushed for 2,010 yards this season, finishing as the nation’s leading Division I rusher. He also led the nation in all-purpose yards.

Davis is the first sophomore and only the fifth running back in Division I college football history to rush for more than 2,000 yards. A 2,000-yard rusher has never been denied the Heisman, a fact that sits well with Davis.

“Why can’t I be a top contender as well?” Davis asked. “I think since I’m going, I’m going to win it.”

The Heisman winner is determined by a popular vote of selected media sports personalities. Davis has been considered a long shot for the Heisman because of ISU’s 3-8 record and accusations that many of his yards have come when the game was out of reach. Only one player from a losing team has ever won the award.

A lack of national exposure and a predominantly eastern group of voters may also prevent Davis from winning, analysts have said.

ISU coach Dan McCarney said he could not confirm Davis’ candidacy. ISU athletic officials have scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. today.

Davis was recently named to the Football News and Walter Camp All-American teams as well as the coaches All-American team.

“I never imagined this season. Things just happened out of the blue moon. It just happened,” Davis said.

In addition to the national acclaim, Davis broke most major ISU records this season. He shattered Blaise Bryant’s single-season rushing record of 1,516 yards and 1,718 all-purpose yards set in 1989.

Davis recorded an ISU record 10 100-yard games this year and holds the two highest single-game rushing totals with 291 yards against Ohio University Aug. 31 and 302 yards against UNLV Sept. 23.

Davis’ teammates have spoken highly the sophomore all year. Earlier this week Davis was named the Cyclones most valuable player.

“Troy is always quick to praise others, and last to praise himself. I think he puts himself about seventh on the list,” said Tim Kohn, an ISU offensive lineman.

The Heisman winner will be announced at a New York ceremony Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. CST. In the past, the Downtown Athletic Club has invited and paid for the candidate, his parents and the school’s sports information director to attend the ceremony. Davis will probably leave for New York Dec. 8, an ISU official said.

The hour-long ceremony will be broadcast live on ESPN. The sports network sent representatives to Ames Wednesday to meet with Davis and Cyclone teammates.

— Daily Staff Writers Jason Howland and Chad Calek contributed to this report.