Defending Winner Jameis Winston Named to Davey O’Brien Award Watch List

Oct 26, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws the ball during the game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston will be looking to defend his Heisman Trophy this season, but he will also look to keep the Davey O’Brien Award in his trophy cabinet.

Winston was one of 39 quarterbacks to be named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list today, given to the nation’s best quarterback by the Davey O’Brien Foundation.

He’ll look to become just the fourth repeat winner of the award but will face some steep competition from some of the nation’s best collegiate quarterbacks.

In 14 games as a freshman last season, Winston threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns as he led the Seminoles to their first national title since 1999. You could say he won a lot of awards along the way but that probably doesn’t give justice to how good Winston was last year.

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel was also named to the watch list.

He played in only three games last season though before breaking his right leg against Tennessee. He threw for 477 yards with two touchdowns and three picks.
However, over 12 games in 2012, he threw for 1,646 yards and 12 touchdowns while leading Florida to the Sugar Bowl. He also had five interceptions.

Neither USF or UCF had their starting quarterbacks named, which isn’t surprising due to the uncertainly surrounding as to who will be under center come week one.