Justin Fields hasn't needed to throw more than 234 yards in any of his nine starts this season, but that hasn't prevented him from being a contender for awards.
Fields was one of 16 players nominated as semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award on Wednesday.
The first-year starting quarterback for Ohio State has completed 144-of-211 passes (68.2 percent) for 1,859 yards this season. His touchdown-to-interception ratio of 27-1 stands out as Fields' most impressive statistic through nine games. Also an effective runner, Fields has 81 carries for 347 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Only one former Ohio State quarterback – Troy Smith in 2006 – has won the Davey O’Brien Award. He also won the Heisman Trophy that season.
Joe Burrow, a former Buckeye, is likely the leading contender for the Davey O’Brien Award this year. He's also the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. In order to have a chance at either award, Fields needs to impress in end-of-season top-15 games against Penn State and Michigan.
Here are all 16 finalists for the Davey O’Brien Award:
- Charlie Brewer, Baylor, Jr., 6-1, 206, Austin, Texas
- Shane Buechele, SMU, Jr., 6-1, 207, Arlington, Texas
- Joe Burrow, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 216, Athens, Ohio
- Sam Ehlinger, Texas, Jr., 6-3, 230, Austin, Texas
- Justin Fields, Ohio State, So., 6-3, 223, Kennesaw, Ga.
- Jake Fromm, Georgia, Jr., 6-2, 220, Warner Robins, Ga.
- Anthony Gordon, Washington State, Sr., 6-3, 210, Pacifica, Calif.
- Justin Herbert, Oregon, Sr., 6-6, 237, Eugene, Ore.
- Tyler Huntley, Utah, Sr., 6-1, 205, Dania, Fla.
- Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma, Sr., 6-2, 218, Houston, Texas
- Trevor Lawrence, Clemson, So., 6-6, 220, Cartersville, Ga.
- Tanner Morgan, Minnesota, So., 6-2, 215, Union, Ky.
- Malcolm Perry, Navy, Sr., 5-9, 190, Clarksville, Tenn.
- Brock Purdy, Iowa State, So, 6-1, 210, Gilbert, Ariz.
- Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama, Jr., 6-1, 218, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
- Brady White, Memphis, Jr., 6-3, 215, Newhall, Calif.
