The 2014 Davey O’Brien Award watch list was released today and Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel was not among the 39 players selected.
This trophy is presented to the nation’s best quarterback. Florida State quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston walked away with the Davey O’Brien Award last year. And it’s for that reason why I’m a bit surprised Gunner Kiel didn’t make the list. Like Winston before last season, the UC quarterback has yet to play a down in a live collegiate football game. He’s all hype up until this point and hasn’t built his resume like rising juniors and seniors heading into the 2014 season. There’s nothing by which voters can judge him. But that didn’t stop former high-4 star recruit Jameis Winston from making the list as a true freshman.
But I guess that’s the way it goes sometimes. Not to worry, Kiel is only a sophomore. If he utilizes his stellar receiving corps to boost his numbers in 2014, he should be a shoe in to make the Davey O’Brien Award watch list as an upperclassman.
Also on the watch list front:
- Deyshawn Bond renamed to Rimington Award (Best Center) watch list
- No Bearcats were named to the Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player) or Maxwell Award (Best Offensive Player) watch lists
- Cincinnati didn’t have a player named to the Lou Groza (Best Kicker) or Ray Guy (Best Punter) watch lists
- Eric Lefeld named to Outland Trophy (Best Lineman) watch list
- UC also missed out on the Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back) watch list
- Silverberry Mouhon was named to the Lombardi Award (Best Lineman) watch list
- Shaq Washington was named to the Biletnikoff Award (Best Wide Receiver) watch list
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