Just In: FSU Football QB Named to Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei received his third preseason watch list recognition on Thursday, being named to the Davey O’Brien Watch List, which honors the nation’s top quarterback as presented by the Davey O’Brien Foundation. Previously, Uiagalelei was also included on the watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year.
Throughout his career, Uiagalelei has started 40 games, achieving a 30-10 record and amassing 9,451 total yards of offense. This includes 8,319 passing yards with 57 touchdowns, along with 1,132 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. Hailing from Inland Empire, California, Uiagalelei transferred to FSU from Oregon State, where he was a 2023 Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist. During his time at Oregon State, he passed for 2,638 yards and 21 touchdowns, while also rushing for 219 yards and six additional touchdowns. His 21 passing touchdowns ranked sixth in a single season for the Beavers, with a career-high five touchdowns coming in a victory over Cal.
Uiagalelei spent his first three seasons at Clemson, where he ranks among the top 10 in the program’s history for completions, passing touchdowns, quarterback rushing touchdowns, passing yards, and wins as a starting quarterback. During his time with the Tigers, he recorded 51 total touchdowns and posted a 22-6 record as the starting QB.
Florida State has a strong legacy with the Davey O’Brien Award, having won it three times: Charlie Ward in 1993, Chris Weinke in 2000, and Jameis Winston in 2013.
The Davey O’Brien Award will announce its Class of 2024 on October 29, with semifinalists to be selected on November 12. Three finalists will be named on November 26, and the winner will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12.
Florida State, the defending ACC Champions, will kick off their season on August 24 at 12:00 p.m. ET in Dublin, Ireland, for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against Georgia Tech on ESPN.
Preseason Watch Lists:
Here’s a summary of the awards and the players associated with each:
– **Davey O’Brien Award** (Best Quarterback): QB DJ Uiagalelei
– **Walter Camp Player of the Year**: QB DJ Uiagalelei
– **Lou Groza Award** (Best Placekicker): K Ryan Fitzgerald
– **Ray Guy Award** (Best Punter): P Alex Mastromanno
– **Wuerffel Trophy** (Community Service): OL Maurice Smith
– **Thorpe Award** (Best Defensive Back): DB Shyheim Brown
– **Nagurski Trophy** (Best Defensive Player): DL Joshua Farmer
– **Outland Trophy** (Best Interior Lineman): DL Joshua Farmer & OL Darius Washington
– **Maxwell Award** (Best Player): QB DJ Uiagalelei