FORT WORTH, Texas -- Baylor senior Seth Russell was tabbed to the 2016 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award watch list, the award's foundation announced Thursday. The O'Brien Award is given annually to the nation's best college quarterback.
Russell, who was a semifinalist for the award in 2015, is one of seven returning semifinalists on this season's list. He is also one of five Big 12 signal callers to be recognized.
Russell was the starting QB for BU through the first seven games of 2015 before suffering a season-ending injury. In his first season as the starter, Russell racked up 2,104 yards, 29 TDs and six picks on 119-200 passing and 402 yards and six TDs on 49 rushes. He was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by the league coaches and a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award. Russell ranked 15th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 29 passing TDs in just seven games. He broke the single-season school record with 10.06 total offense yards per play.
Last week, Russell was one of three Bears on the watch list for the Maxwell Award and Wednesday he was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
Bryce Petty was BU’s last Davey O’Brien watch list member, earning the distinction in 2014. Baylor's Robert Griffin III was the 2011 Davey O'Brien Award winner, following his Heisman campaign.
Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement for a player to win the Davey O'Brien Award. Quarterbacks from all 128 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools are eligible for the award until the field is narrowed to 16 semifinalists on Nov. 10. The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Nov. 22. The 2016 Davey O'Brien winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8. The 40th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner will be held Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. Compiled by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, this year’s list was selected based on player performance during the previous year and expectations heading into the 2016 college football season. All nominees are required to have previously started at least one game at their current institution.
