Jalen Hurts, Nick Fitzgerald named semifinalists for Davey O’Brien Award
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Saturday’s game between Mississippi State and Alabama will feature two dynamic QBs, and both players are still in the running for one of the country’s most prestigious awards.
Alabama’s starting QB is sophomore Jalen Hurts, and Hurts is definitely the leader of the Crimson Tide offense. Hurts has compiled 2,022 total yards through the first nine games of the season with 17 TDs and just one interception. He is a true dual-threat QB who leads the Tide in rushing attempts (98) and is second in rushing yards (616).
Hurts’ counterpart for Saturday is Mississippi State’s junior QB Nick Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald has done a bit more than Hurts as he has been relied on as the heart and soul of the Bulldogs offense. Fitzgerald has 2,260 total yards and 25 total TDs, but he does have 10 interceptions on the year. Still, he leads the Bulldogs in rushing yards (801) and rushing TDs (12) and is second in rushing attempts (116).
Both players are incredible performers and solid leaders. Both team’s will likely be ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25 when they face each other, and both QBs were announced as semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award.
The announcement was made on Twitter Tuesday:
Congratulations to our 16 semifinalists! Here they are… #DaveyQBs pic.twitter.com/GYsYbL4Vh4
— Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award (@daveyobrien) November 7, 2017
According to the award’s website, the award is given to one QB annually:
The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
