Previous Prodigies Praise Aztecs’ Faulk : Football: Dorsett, Walker look at latest running sensation.

Once, they were in Marshall Faulk’s cleats.

The toast of their towns. The talk of the country. Magnets for photographers, national television cameras, autograph seekers and opposing defenses.

And, of course, freshmen All-Americans.

Only three freshmen in college football history have been selected as first-team Associated Press All-Americans: Tony Dorsett, Herschel Walker and Faulk.

Today, Dorsett is retired, the owner and president of DA Chemical in Dallas, and Walker’s career has re-emerged with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both men, Heisman Trophies secured at home, continue to keep track of what happens on college football Saturdays. Both have watched Faulk from a lofty perch that very few football players reach.

And . . .

“Never heard of the guy,” Dorsett said.

Pause.

“Aw, I’m only teasing,” Dorsett continued. “Who hasn’t heard of Marshall Faulk? Five-hundred yards in (his first) two games? That’s a heck of an accomplishment. He’s legitimate. I’ve watched him several times.”

Said Walker: “I think he’s a heck of a back. He’s real quick and looks like he has tremendous speed.”

Dorsett, who won the 1976 Heisman Trophy while at the University of Pittsburgh, was the more talkative of the two.

“He’s bad ,” Dorsett said. “Bad to the bone. He’s a tough runner. He’s got great balance, breaks tackles . . . he’s damn good.

“I’m very impressed with his vision and ability to cut. He’s the total package, man. Great speed. UCLA stuffed him up (Sept. 26, when Faulk gained 118 yards), but you knew eventually something was going to happen.”

That something came in the fourth quarter, when Faulk broke loose for a 46-yard touchdown run.

In four games, Faulk has accumulated 837 yards. He leads the nation in rushing at 209.2 yards per game, in all-purpose yardage at 222.25 yards per game, and in scoring at 13 1/2 points per game.

He is averaging 7.6 yards per carry in 1992 and has a career average of 174.3 yards per game. The NCAA record is 174.6, set by Cornell’s Ed Marinaro from 1969 through 1971.

Faulk, of course, knows all about NCAA records. He broke or tied 13 as a freshman. Dorsett broke or tied 14 NCAA records during his career and Walker set 10 NCAA records.

Walker, who won the 1982 Heisman Trophy while at the University of Georgia, likes Faulk’s knack for finding a hole.

“The thing I noticed most about Faulk is he appears to have real good judgment,” Walker said. “He knows how to run. He’s got those instincts.”

When Dorsett and Walker were in school, underclassmen could not sign early with the NFL--although Walker left after three seasons for the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.

Dorsett ran for an NCAA record 6,082 yards; Walker ran for an NCAA three-year record 5,259. Faulk has accumulated 2,266 yards in less than 1 1/2 years.

At his present pace over four years, Faulk, 5-feet-10, 200 pounds, would run for 7,495 yards. While Faulk is on record as saying he will return to SDSU next season, there is certainly no guarantee that he will stay at SDSU for the next two seasons.

Walker, though leaving Georgia after three seasons, wasn’t inclined to offer Faulk advice on whether to pursue a professional career or stay at SDSU the full four years.

“That’s something an athlete has to decide for himself,” Walker said. “I don’t know what his situation is, so I couldn’t comment on that.”

Although UCLA Coach Terry Donahue has compared Faulk to Barry Sanders, New Mexico Coach Dennis Franchione has compared him to Billy Sims and Miami linebacker Jessie Armstead has invoked Walter Payton’s name, Dorsett hesitated when asked if Faulk reminds him of anyone in particular.

“You might even see some similarities to myself,” Dorsett said. “But he’s Marshall. All great runners can do something that others can’t. There are always going to be comparisons. He’s a great runner. I want to leave it at that.”

Faulk’s roaring start catapulted him to the top of the Heisman contender list almost immediately in 1992. Barring a spurt by someone else, the Heisman could be Faulk’s to lose already even though the award will not be presented until the first weekend of December.

“From the start he’s had, there’s no question he’s the front-runner right now,” Dorsett said. “God forbid if he continues carrying on at this rate.

Having been through an experience similar to Faulk’s nearly 20 years ago--All-American at 18, all-magnified at 19--Dorsett said the only advice he would offer Faulk toward making it through this season is to be true to himself.

“He’s done the same thing as me and Herschel,” Dorsett said. “That second year, all defenses are geared toward stopping you, everyone is wondering, ‘Was his freshman year a fluke year? Can he do it again?’ His teammates, the media, all around the country, people are watching.

“Fortunately, he’s performing. He’s doing it his way. That’s the most important thing. Do it his way.”

Dorsett talked with enthusiasm. This wasn’t a subject that bored him.

In fact, Dorsett only had one negative thing to say throughout the interview.

“The only thing I don’t like about Marshall Faulk is his uniform,” said Dorsett, laughing, referring to SDSU’s all-black home uniforms.

“But you know what?

“Marshall Faulk is so good he even makes his uniform look good.”