Buffalo's Jackson and Ohio's Rourke Named To Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
FORT WORTH, Texas (July 17, 2018) - The Davey O'Brien Foundation revealed the 2018 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List today, a group that includes 26 of the nation's top college quarterbacks. Representing the MAC are Buffalo QB Tyree Jackson and Ohio QB Nathan Rourke.
Jackson, a native of Norton Shores, Mich., appeared in eight games last season as Buffalo finished with a 6-6 overall record, 4-4 in the MAC. Jackson was 143-237 passing for a 60.3% completion percentage and threw for 2,096 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 262.0 yards passing per game.
Rourke, a native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, had a breakout sopohomore season as he led the Bobcats to a 9-4 overall record, including a 41-6 win over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl. In 13 games, Rourke set a school record with 21 rushing touchdowns with 137 carries for 912 yards rushing. Rourke threw for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns passing on 161-of-292 pass attempts. He was named All-MAC Second Team last year and also set school records with 132 points scored, 22 touchdowns scored and was responsible for 39 touchdowns.
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 2018 college football season. All nominees are required to have previously started at least one game at their current institution. In addition, any player who was a finalist or semifinalist the previous year is automatically included.
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. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement for a player to win the award. Quarterbacks from all 130 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools are eligible.
Sixteen semifinalists for the award will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 6. From that list, the Foundation will announce the three finalists on Monday, Nov. 19. The 2018 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live Thursday, Dec. 6, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The 2018 season marks the 12th year that fans will be invited to participate in the voting process on VoteOBrien.org. Results from the Davey O'Brien fan vote will be combined with the ballots from the selection committee. Fan voting, which accounts for five percent of the total balloting, will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 4. The 42nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner will be held Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas.
