The Davey O'Brien Award Watch List: Possible Nominees

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The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, given out annually to the player that is deemed to be the best quarterback, is the most prestigious and oldest national quarterback award in the nation.

The award is named after Davey O'Brien, a former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner at TCU, which honors players of a certain aspect.

The award honors candidates who exemplify O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.

Some of the past winners of the award include former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, former TCU quarterback Max Duggan, and former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

Here's a look at four quarterbacks who could make the watch list for the award.

No. 1: Carson Beck, Georgia Bulldogs

Beck is an interesting quarterback to analyze. He took over one season ago for Stetson Bennett who won back-to-back National Championship for the Bulldogs, and then went to the NFL Draft and got drafted by the Los Angeles Rams.

Beck's first season as starter for the Bulldogs was his junior year. Beck completed 302-of-417 passes for a 72.4 completion percentage, threw for 3,941 total yards, and threw 24 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 55 total yards.

Beck goes into Year 2 and his senior season, looking to prove himself even more, with a tough bout the first week of the season against the Clemson Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney.

No. 2: Quinn Ewers, Texas Longhorns

Next up that could make the list is Ewers. Ewers originally went to Ohio State but transferred after his freshman season in 2021 to Texas. He ended up being named the starting quarterback for the Longhorns during his sophomore season in 2022.

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Ewers first season as starter for the Longhorns was an okay one. Ewers completed 172-of-296 passes for a 58.1 completion percentage, threw for 2,177 total yards, and threw 15 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 49 yards.

Ewers took a step forward in his second season as starter for the Longhorns. Ewers completed 272-of-394 passes for a 69 completion percentage, threw for 3,479 total yards, and threw 22 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 73 yards.

Ewers looks to lead his team to a national title after last year's defeat in the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Washington Huskies.

No. 3: Jalen Milroe, Alabama Crimson Tide

A third possible nominee for the award is Milroe of the Crimson Tide.

Milroe began his freshman year at Alabama in 2021 as the backup to now Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Young. In his freshman year, Milroe completed 3-of-7 passes for a 42.9 completion percentage, threw for 41 total yards, and threw 1 touchdown to 0 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 24 yards.

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Milroe began his sophomore season also as the backup to Young. In his sophomore year, Milroe completed 31-of-53 passes for a 58.5 completion percentage, threw for 297 total yards, and threw 5 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 35 yards.

Milroe entered his junior season as the starter for the Crimson Tide when Young went first overall in the NFL Draft to the Panthers. In his junior year, Milroe completed 187-of-284 passes for a 65.8 completion percentage, threw for 2,834 total yards, and threw 23 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 79 yards.

Milroe looks to lead his team one step further to a national championship after a crushing defeat this past season in the CFP semifinal to the eventual champion Michigan Wolverines.

No. 4: Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes

One final possible nominee for the award is none other than Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders began his freshman season in the FCS as the starting quarterback for the Jackson State Tigers. In his freshman year, Sanders completed 272-of-413 passes for a 65.9 completion percentage, threw for 3,231 total yards, and threw 30 touchdowns to 8 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 74 yards.

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Sanders entered his sophomore year transferring and being named the starting quarterback for the Buffaloes. In his sophomore year, Sanders completed 341-of-483 passes for a 70.6 completion percentage, threw for 3,732 total yards, and threw 40 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 86 yards.

Sanders took a small step back in his junior year and second year as starter for the Buffaloes. In his junior year, Sanders completed 298-of-430 passes for a 69.3 completion percentage, threw for 3,230 total yards, and threw 27 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, with his longest completed pass being for 75 yards.

Stay Tuned to College Football Dawgs throughout the season to see which quarterbacks actually make the list and which ones do not.