Davey O'Brien Award

Davey O'Brien Award. It is presented annually to the nation's outstanding quarterback in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Named for legendary Texas Christian University quarterback Davey O'Brien, the honor is one of the most prestigious individual awards in the sport. The winner is selected by the Davey O'Brien Foundation and a national selection committee, with the presentation occurring at the Home Depot College Football Awards.

History

The award was originally established in 1977 as the Davey O'Brien Memorial Trophy, honoring the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from TCU who led the 1938 Horned Frogs to a national championship. Initially, it recognized the most outstanding player in the Southwest Conference, reflecting O'Brien's legacy in that league. In 1981, the scope was expanded to all quarterbacks in the FBS, transforming it into a national award. The presenting organization, the Davey O'Brien Foundation, was founded in Fort Worth, Texas, and has since been a prominent supporter of charitable causes. The award's history is intertwined with other major quarterback honors like the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award.

Selection process

The selection process begins with the release of a preseason "watch list" compiled by the Davey O'Brien Foundation. Throughout the regular season, a national selection committee, which includes sports media members, former winners, and other football experts, evaluates candidates based on quarterback skills, athletic ability, academics, character, leadership, and sportsmanship. Fan voting conducted through the award's official website accounts for a small percentage of the overall vote. Semifinalists are announced in November, followed by the naming of three finalists. The winner is typically revealed during the televised ESPN College Football Awards show in December, preceding major postseason events like the College Football Playoff and various bowl games.

Winners

The list of winners includes many players who achieved great success in both college and professional football. The first national winner in 1981 was Jim McMahon of Brigham Young University. Subsequent notable recipients include Doug Flutie of Boston College, Ty Detmer also of BYU, and Charlie Ward of Florida State University. In the 21st century, winners have featured prominent figures like Jason White of the University of Oklahoma, Matt Leinart of the University of Southern California, and Tim Tebow of the University of Florida. More recent honorees include Joe Burrow of LSU, who also won the Heisman Trophy in 2019, and Bryce Young of the University of Alabama. Many winners have been drafted highly into the National Football League, with several, such as Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning, being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Multiple-time winners

Only two players have won the award twice, a testament to sustained excellence at the quarterback position. The first to accomplish this feat was Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M University, who won in consecutive years in 2012 and 2013. The second was Baker Mayfield of the University of Oklahoma, who also won back-to-back in 2016 and 2017. Both Manziel and Mayfield also secured the Heisman Trophy in their first award-winning seasons. Other quarterbacks, such as Tim Tebow and Deshaun Watson, have been finalists multiple times but did not win on more than one occasion. This elite group places the multiple-time winners among the most decorated players in college football history.

See also

* Heisman Trophy * Maxwell Award * Walter Camp Award * Manning Award * Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award * Davey O'Brien * List of Davey O'Brien Award winners * NCAA Division I FBS national football championship * College Football All-America Team * Associated Press College Football Player of the Year

Category:American football trophies and awards Category:NCAA football awards Category:Sports trophies and awards in the United States