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FORT WORTH, Texas – Seven of this week’s eight members of the Davey O’Brien’s Foundation “Great 8” quarterbacks are being recognized for the first time this year, according to the list revealed Monday.
The eight honorees, as determined by voting from the award’s selection subcommittee, are: TCU’s Max Duggan, Dan Ellington of Georgia State, Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond, Peyton Ramsey of Indiana, Charlotte’s Chris Reynolds, Kedon Slovis of USC, Kansas’ Carter Stanley and Skylar Thompson of Kansas State. The winner of the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Week Award will be announced Tuesday.
In 1938, O’Brien, who wore No. 8 as a star quarterback for TCU, became the first player ever to win the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award in the same year. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
O’Brien was drafted fourth overall in the 1939 NFL Draft and earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season after setting a National Football League record for season passing yardage. The NFL’s highest-paid player retired after the 1940 season to become an FBI agent.
The Davey O’Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981. The Davey O’Brien Fan Vote, now in its 13th year, gives fans a chance to play a role in determining the award winner by voting daily at VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting is currently open.
Since 1977, the Davey O’Brien Foundation has given away more than $1 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit DaveyOBrien.org.
Week 9 “Great 8” Performances:
Max Duggan, TCU, Fr., 6-2, 190, Council Bluffs, Iowa
· Led TCU to a 37-27 victory over No. 15 Texas by going 19 for 27 for 273 yards and two touchdowns and 13 carries for 72 yards and a score.
Dan Ellington, Georgia State, Sr., 6-3, 205, Olive Branch, Miss.
· Accounted for four touchdowns, two through the air and two on the ground, and 221 total yards in a 52-33 victory over Troy.
Kellen Mond, Texas A&M, Jr., 6-3, 217, San Antonio, Texas
· Totaled five touchdowns (three passing, two rushing) and 310 yards (234 passing, 76 rushing) in a 49-30 win over Mississippi State.
Peyton Ramsey, Indiana, Jr., 6-2, 216, Cincinnati, Ohio
· Connected on 27-of-40 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns and rushed nine times for 42 yards and a score in a 38-31 road win against Nebraska.
Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, So., 5-10, 192, Mocksville, N.C.
· Totaled 432 yards of offense (336 passing, 96 rushing) with four touchdowns (three passing), including the game-winning strike with :18 left in a 39-38 triumph over North Texas.
Kedon Slovis, USC, Fr., 6-2, 200, Scottsdale, Ariz.
· Topped the 400-yard mark (30-for-44, 406 yards) and threw four touchdown passes, including two in the fourth quarter, in a 35-31 comeback win over Colorado.
Carter Stanley, Kansas, Sr., 6-2, 198, Vero Beach, Fla.
· Helped direct the Jayhawks back from a 17-0 deficit in a 37-34 win over Texas Tech by throwing for 415 yards (26 of 37) and totaling four TDs (three passing, one rushing).
Skylar Thompson, Kansas State, Jr., 6-2, 212, Independence, Mo.
· Rushed for four touchdowns (13 carries, 39 yards) and was 18 of 28 passing for 218 yards in a 48-41 upset win over No. 5 Oklahoma.