Zac Larrier one of 35 named to Davey O’Brian Award Class of 2023
10/31/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
Round 1 of Fan Vote open on social media channels until Friday, Nov. 10
FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 31, 2023) – The Davey O'Brien Foundation has announced the 35 quarterbacks named to the Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2023. Each member of the group is now an official candidate to win the 2023 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
This year's class includes: Drew Allar (Penn State), Carson Beck (Georgia), Davis Brin (Georgia Southern), Brady Cook (Missouri), Jayden Daniels (LSU), JT Daniels (Rice), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Dequan Finn (Toledo), Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma), Darren Grainger (Georgia State), Frank Harris (UTSA), Sam Hartman (Notre Dame), Mikey Keene (Fresno State), Zac Larrier (Air Force), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), Jordan McCloud (James Madison), Kyle McCord (Ohio State), Graham Mertz (Florida), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Bo Nix (Oregon), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Michael Pratt (Tulane), Austin Reed (Western Kentucky), Kaidon Salter (Liberty), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Preston Stone (SMU), Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), Jordan Travis (Florida State), DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), Tyler Van Dyke (Miami), Cameron Ward (Washington State) and Caleb Williams (USC).
The 35 quarterbacks have helped lead their respective teams to a combined record of 226-56 (.801), and all of the teams possess a record of .500 or better through week nine. All 10 FBS conferences as well as one football independent are represented on the list. The Pac-12 and SEC lead the way with six honorees apiece.
The next step in the process will be to select the award's 16 semifinalists from the 35 quarterbacks. The semifinalists will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the first round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote.
For the fourth straight year, the Fan Vote will take place on the award's three social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X)—and the top five vote getters on each platform will receive bonus committee member ballots which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.
To participate in the Fan Vote, fans must like the original Davey O'Brien Award post highlighting their quarterback. The first round is open now until Friday, Nov. 10 at noon (CT). The semifinalists will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Looking ahead, the three finalists will be tabbed on Tuesday, Nov. 28, while the winner will be announced live on Friday, Dec. 8, on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
In 1938, O'Brien, who was 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.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The 47th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
2023 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Timeline
Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2023 Announced (Tuesday, Oct. 31)
Semifinalist Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Oct. 31-Friday, Nov. 10)
Semifinalists Announced (Tuesday, Nov. 14)
Finalist Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Nov. 14-Friday, Nov. 24)
Finalists Announced (Tuesday, Nov. 28)
Winner Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Nov. 28-Friday, Dec. 1)
Winner Announced on Home Depot College Football Awards (Friday, Dec. 8)
47th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner (Monday, Feb. 19, 2024)
Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2023
Drew Allar, Penn State, So., 6-5, 242, Medina, Ohio
Carson Beck, Georgia, Jr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.
Davis Brin, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-2, 210, Boerne, Texas
Brady Cook, Missouri, Jr., 6-2, 205, St. Louis, Mo.
Jayden Daniels, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 210, San Bernardino, Calif.
JT Daniels, Rice, Sr., 6-2, 237, Irvine, Calif.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, Jr., 6-2, 220, Kaysville, Utah
Quinn Ewers, Texas, So., 6-2, 195, Southlake, Texas
Dequan Finn, Toledo, Jr., 6-2, 205, Detroit, Mich.
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Sr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawaii
Darren Grainger, Georgia State, Sr., 6-4, 225, Conway, S.C.
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 205, Schertz, Texas
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-1, 212, Charlotte, N.C.
Mikey Keene, Fresno State, So., 5-11, 198, Chandler, Ariz.
Zac Larrier, Air Force, Sr., 6-0, 195, Youngstown, Ohio
Drake Maye, North Carolina, So., 6-4, 230, Huntersville, N.C.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-3, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Jr., 6-3, 202, La Grange Park, Ill.
Jordan McCloud, James Madison, Sr., 6-0, 199, Tampa, Fla.
Kyle McCord, Ohio State, Jr., 6-3, 215, Mt. Laurel, N.J.
Graham Mertz, Florida, Jr., 6-3, 215, Overland Park, Kan.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, So., 6-2, 220, Katy, Texas
Bo Nix, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 214, Pinson, Ala.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, Sr., 6-3, 213, Tampa, Fla.
Michael Pratt, Tulane, Jr., 6-3, 220, Boca Raton, Fla.
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky, Jr., 6-2, 230, St. Augustine Beach, Fla.
Kaidon Salter, Liberty, So., 6-1, 200, Cedar Hill, Texas
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Jr., 6-2, 215, Dallas, Texas
Preston Stone, SMU, So., 6-1, 219, Dallas, Texas
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Sr., 5-11, 208, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Jordan Travis, Florida State, Sr., 6-1, 212, West Palm Beach, Fla.
DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State, Jr., 6-4, 252, Inland Empire, Calif.
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, Jr., 6-4, 230, Glastonbury, Conn.
Cameron Ward, Washington State, Jr., 6-2, 223, West Columbia, Texas
Caleb Williams, USC, Jr., 6-1, 220, Washington, D.C.
About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 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 www.DaveyOBrienAward.com.
Previous Davey O'Brien Award winners include: Jim McMahon (BYU, 1981), Todd Blackledge (Penn State, 1982), Steve Young (BYU, 1983), Doug Flutie (Boston College, 1984), Chuck Long (Iowa, 1985), Vinny Testaverde (Miami, 1986), Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Troy Aikman (UCLA, 1988), Andre Ware (Houston, 1989), Ty Detmer (BYU, 1990-91), Gino Torretta (Miami, 1992), Charlie Ward (Florida State, 1993), Kerry Collins (Penn State, 1994), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1995-96), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Michael Bishop (Kansas State, 1998), Joe Hamilton (Georgia Tech, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), Eric Crouch (Nebraska, 2001), Brad Banks (Iowa, 2002), Jason White (Oklahoma, 2003-04), Vince Young (Texas, 2005), Troy Smith (Ohio State, 2006), Tim Tebow (Florida, 2007), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma, 2008), Colt McCoy (Texas, 2009), Cam Newton (Auburn, 2010), Robert Griffin III (Baylor, 2011), Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012), Jameis Winston (Florida State, 2013), Marcus Mariota (Oregon, 2014), Deshaun Watson (Clemson, 2015-16), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma, 2017), Kyler Murray (Oklahoma, 2018), Joe Burrow (LSU, 2019), Mac Jones (Alabama, 2020), Bryce Young (Alabama, 2021) and Max Duggan (TCU, 2022).
About the NCFAA
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter at @NCFAA.
Larrier Highlights
Larrier is second on the team in rushing with 533 yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries. He has hit 28-40 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns and has a 256.2 quarterback efficiency rating.
Larrier set a pair of school records with his 94-yard touchdown pass to Dane Kinamon at Navy. He set a new program record for longest pass, breaking the mark of 92 yards by Haaziq Daniels vs. Colorado State in 2021. The score tied as the longest play from scrimmage in program history, matching the 94-yard run by Daniels vs. Florida Atlantic in 2021.
Larrier recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing effort, going for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown vs. Wyoming. He hit 6-9 passes for 58 yards and a score. Larrier was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Air Force's 49-10 win over San Diego State, in addition to earning the Davey O'Brien Award honors list.
Larrier rushed for a then-career-high 103 yards on just eight carries to record the first 100-yard game of his career. He recorded a career-long run of 41 yards, in addition to the second-longest run of his career which was 34 yards. Four of his eight carries went for first downs. Larrier recorded career highs in every passing category, hitting six of seven passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns were all career highs at the time. Five of his six completions went for first downs or touchdowns with one coming on fourth down. Larrier's career-high 292 yards of total offense are the most by a Falcon since 2019. He completed passes to four different players which is a career high while engineering an offense that scored touchdowns on five straight possessions.
This year's class includes: Drew Allar (Penn State), Carson Beck (Georgia), Davis Brin (Georgia Southern), Brady Cook (Missouri), Jayden Daniels (LSU), JT Daniels (Rice), Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Dequan Finn (Toledo), Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma), Darren Grainger (Georgia State), Frank Harris (UTSA), Sam Hartman (Notre Dame), Mikey Keene (Fresno State), Zac Larrier (Air Force), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), Jordan McCloud (James Madison), Kyle McCord (Ohio State), Graham Mertz (Florida), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), Bo Nix (Oregon), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), Michael Pratt (Tulane), Austin Reed (Western Kentucky), Kaidon Salter (Liberty), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), Preston Stone (SMU), Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland), Jordan Travis (Florida State), DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), Tyler Van Dyke (Miami), Cameron Ward (Washington State) and Caleb Williams (USC).
The 35 quarterbacks have helped lead their respective teams to a combined record of 226-56 (.801), and all of the teams possess a record of .500 or better through week nine. All 10 FBS conferences as well as one football independent are represented on the list. The Pac-12 and SEC lead the way with six honorees apiece.
The next step in the process will be to select the award's 16 semifinalists from the 35 quarterbacks. The semifinalists will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O'Brien National Selection Committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the first round of the Davey O'Brien Fan Vote.
For the fourth straight year, the Fan Vote will take place on the award's three social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X)—and the top five vote getters on each platform will receive bonus committee member ballots which will be added to the votes cast by the National Selection Committee.
To participate in the Fan Vote, fans must like the original Davey O'Brien Award post highlighting their quarterback. The first round is open now until Friday, Nov. 10 at noon (CT). The semifinalists will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 14. Looking ahead, the three finalists will be tabbed on Tuesday, Nov. 28, while the winner will be announced live on Friday, Dec. 8, on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.3 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.
In 1938, O'Brien, who was 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.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The 47th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
2023 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Timeline
Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2023 Announced (Tuesday, Oct. 31)
Semifinalist Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Oct. 31-Friday, Nov. 10)
Semifinalists Announced (Tuesday, Nov. 14)
Finalist Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Nov. 14-Friday, Nov. 24)
Finalists Announced (Tuesday, Nov. 28)
Winner Round Fan Vote Open (Tuesday, Nov. 28-Friday, Dec. 1)
Winner Announced on Home Depot College Football Awards (Friday, Dec. 8)
47th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner (Monday, Feb. 19, 2024)
Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2023
Drew Allar, Penn State, So., 6-5, 242, Medina, Ohio
Carson Beck, Georgia, Jr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.
Davis Brin, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-2, 210, Boerne, Texas
Brady Cook, Missouri, Jr., 6-2, 205, St. Louis, Mo.
Jayden Daniels, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 210, San Bernardino, Calif.
JT Daniels, Rice, Sr., 6-2, 237, Irvine, Calif.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, Jr., 6-2, 220, Kaysville, Utah
Quinn Ewers, Texas, So., 6-2, 195, Southlake, Texas
Dequan Finn, Toledo, Jr., 6-2, 205, Detroit, Mich.
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Sr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawaii
Darren Grainger, Georgia State, Sr., 6-4, 225, Conway, S.C.
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 205, Schertz, Texas
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-1, 212, Charlotte, N.C.
Mikey Keene, Fresno State, So., 5-11, 198, Chandler, Ariz.
Zac Larrier, Air Force, Sr., 6-0, 195, Youngstown, Ohio
Drake Maye, North Carolina, So., 6-4, 230, Huntersville, N.C.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-3, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Jr., 6-3, 202, La Grange Park, Ill.
Jordan McCloud, James Madison, Sr., 6-0, 199, Tampa, Fla.
Kyle McCord, Ohio State, Jr., 6-3, 215, Mt. Laurel, N.J.
Graham Mertz, Florida, Jr., 6-3, 215, Overland Park, Kan.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, So., 6-2, 220, Katy, Texas
Bo Nix, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 214, Pinson, Ala.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, Sr., 6-3, 213, Tampa, Fla.
Michael Pratt, Tulane, Jr., 6-3, 220, Boca Raton, Fla.
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky, Jr., 6-2, 230, St. Augustine Beach, Fla.
Kaidon Salter, Liberty, So., 6-1, 200, Cedar Hill, Texas
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Jr., 6-2, 215, Dallas, Texas
Preston Stone, SMU, So., 6-1, 219, Dallas, Texas
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Sr., 5-11, 208, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Jordan Travis, Florida State, Sr., 6-1, 212, West Palm Beach, Fla.
DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State, Jr., 6-4, 252, Inland Empire, Calif.
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, Jr., 6-4, 230, Glastonbury, Conn.
Cameron Ward, Washington State, Jr., 6-2, 223, West Columbia, Texas
Caleb Williams, USC, Jr., 6-1, 220, Washington, D.C.
About the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The Davey O'Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O'Brien's enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has awarded more than $1.3 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 www.DaveyOBrienAward.com.
Previous Davey O'Brien Award winners include: Jim McMahon (BYU, 1981), Todd Blackledge (Penn State, 1982), Steve Young (BYU, 1983), Doug Flutie (Boston College, 1984), Chuck Long (Iowa, 1985), Vinny Testaverde (Miami, 1986), Don McPherson (Syracuse, 1987), Troy Aikman (UCLA, 1988), Andre Ware (Houston, 1989), Ty Detmer (BYU, 1990-91), Gino Torretta (Miami, 1992), Charlie Ward (Florida State, 1993), Kerry Collins (Penn State, 1994), Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1995-96), Peyton Manning (Tennessee, 1997), Michael Bishop (Kansas State, 1998), Joe Hamilton (Georgia Tech, 1999), Chris Weinke (Florida State, 2000), Eric Crouch (Nebraska, 2001), Brad Banks (Iowa, 2002), Jason White (Oklahoma, 2003-04), Vince Young (Texas, 2005), Troy Smith (Ohio State, 2006), Tim Tebow (Florida, 2007), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma, 2008), Colt McCoy (Texas, 2009), Cam Newton (Auburn, 2010), Robert Griffin III (Baylor, 2011), Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012), Jameis Winston (Florida State, 2013), Marcus Mariota (Oregon, 2014), Deshaun Watson (Clemson, 2015-16), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma, 2017), Kyler Murray (Oklahoma, 2018), Joe Burrow (LSU, 2019), Mac Jones (Alabama, 2020), Bryce Young (Alabama, 2021) and Max Duggan (TCU, 2022).
About the NCFAA
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit the redesigned NCFAA.org or follow on Twitter at @NCFAA.
Larrier Highlights
Larrier is second on the team in rushing with 533 yards and five touchdowns on 111 carries. He has hit 28-40 passes for 651 yards and six touchdowns and has a 256.2 quarterback efficiency rating.
Larrier set a pair of school records with his 94-yard touchdown pass to Dane Kinamon at Navy. He set a new program record for longest pass, breaking the mark of 92 yards by Haaziq Daniels vs. Colorado State in 2021. The score tied as the longest play from scrimmage in program history, matching the 94-yard run by Daniels vs. Florida Atlantic in 2021.
Larrier recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing effort, going for a career-high 111 yards and a touchdown vs. Wyoming. He hit 6-9 passes for 58 yards and a score. Larrier was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Air Force's 49-10 win over San Diego State, in addition to earning the Davey O'Brien Award honors list.
Larrier rushed for a then-career-high 103 yards on just eight carries to record the first 100-yard game of his career. He recorded a career-long run of 41 yards, in addition to the second-longest run of his career which was 34 yards. Four of his eight carries went for first downs. Larrier recorded career highs in every passing category, hitting six of seven passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns were all career highs at the time. Five of his six completions went for first downs or touchdowns with one coming on fourth down. Larrier's career-high 292 yards of total offense are the most by a Falcon since 2019. He completed passes to four different players which is a career high while engineering an offense that scored touchdowns on five straight possessions.
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