Best Quarterbacks in College Football (Davey O’Brien Award Watch List)

The following post explores the best quarterbacks in college football (Davey O’Brien Award Watch List).

Some college football teams have an NFL-level QB capable of singlehandedly carrying the team to victory. These are the QBs you need to know about when betting on college football.

Read: Best Kickers in College Football

Related: Best Tight Ends in College Football

In college football, the QB is the most important player on the field. Identifying the best QBs is crucial if you want to beat the house and turn a profit as a sports bettor.

So who are the best QBs in the country? Here’s what you need to know.

Overview

The Davey O’Brien Award Watch List features the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the new college football season.

How the Award Works

Throughout the season, the Davey O’Brien Award Committee evaluates the performance of quarterbacks on the preseason watchlist. At mid-season, the committee narrows the list down to 10 semifinalists. From these semifinalists, the top three finalists are selected.

The winner is chosen from these three finalists by a panel of college football coaches, media members, and former Davey O’Brien Award recipients.

Davey O’Brien Award Watch List (2024)

In alphabetical order by last name, here is the 2024 Davey O’Brien Award Watch List:

• Drew Allar – Penn State

• Rocco Becht – Iowa State

• Carson Beck – Georgia

• Byrum Brown – South Florida

• Brady Cook – Missouri

• Jalon Daniels – Kansas

• Jaxson Dart – Ole Miss

• Kyron Drones – Virginia Tech

• Quinn Ewers – Texas

• Noah Fifita – Arizona

• TJ Finley – Western Kentucky

• Dequan Finn – Baylor

• Brett Gabbert – Miami (OH)

• Dillon Gabriel – Oregon

• Garrett Greene – West Virginia

• Seth Henigan – Memphis

• Will Howard – Ohio State

• KJ Jefferson – UCF

• Mikey Keene – Fresno State

• Haynes King – Georgia Tech

• Cade Klubnik – Clemson

• Riley Leonard – Notre Dame

• Grayson McCall – NC State

• Jordan McCloud – Texas State

• Kyle McCord – Syracuse

• Graham Mertz – Florida

• Jalen Milroe – Alabama

• Cameron Rising – Utah

• Will Rogers – Washington

• Kaidon Salter – Liberty

• Shedeur Sanders – Colorado

• Preston Stone – SMU

• DJ Uiagalelei – Florida State

• Cameron Ward – Miami

• Jacob Zeno – UAB

Davey O’Brien Award Winners (2000 – Present)

Here are the winners from years past – notice lots of NFL names on this list.

• 2023: Jayden Daniels – Louisiana State University

• 2022: Max Duggan – Texas Christian University

• 2021: Bryce Young – University of Alabama

• 2020: Mac Jones – University of Alabama

• 2019: Joe Burrow – Louisiana State University

• 2018: Kyler Murray – University of Oklahoma

• 2017: Baker Mayfield – University of Oklahoma

• 2016: Deshaun Watson – Clemson University

• 2015: Deshaun Watson – Clemson University

• 2014: Marcus Mariota – University of Oregon

• 2013: Jameis Winston – Florida State University

• 2012: Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M University

• 2011: Robert Griffin III – Baylor University

• 2010: Cam Newton – Auburn University

• 2009: Colt McCoy – University of Texas

• 2008: Sam Bradford – University of Oklahoma

• 2007: Tim Tebow – University of Florida

• 2006: Troy Smith – Ohio State University

• 2005: Vince Young – University of Texas

• 2004: Jason White – University of Oklahoma

• 2003: Jason White – University of Oklahoma

• 2002: Brad Banks – University of Iowa

• 2001: Eric Crouch – University of Nebraska

• 2000: Chris Weinke – Florida State University

In Conclusion

In conclusion, being aware of the top quarterbacks provides an advantage when betting on college football. Keeping these QBs (and their teams) in mind is key to finding yourself on the winning side.