ESPN announces Top 3 finalists for Davey O'Brien, Maxwell awards

On Tuesday ahead of the last game of the regular season, ESPN announced the three finalists for the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell awards.

The Davey O’Brien Award is for the nation’s best quarterback. The Maxwell Award is for the best all-around player in the nation. It’s almost become a precursor to the Heisman Trophy — as many of Maxwell Award recipients have won the Heisman as well.

Prior to the season, among the favorites to win were OU’s Spencer Rattler, UNC’s Sam Howell and Miami’s D’Eriq King. Additionally, Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei and Georgia’s J.T. Daniels were in the conversation. Leave it to college football to be unpredictable, as many of the original favorites didn’t even make it to the semifinalists list.

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young and Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett are on both finalist lists. However, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III broke through the QBs to get a Maxwell nod. The third Davey O’Brien candidate is Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Given many of this year’s CFB stars are signal-callers, the overlap between the groups of finalists is no surprise. It looks like ESPN will save some money on airfare for the ceremony this year. This year’s awards show will air on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN.

Maxwell, O’Brien Awards Finalists

CJ Stroud put up a historic performance in Ohio State’s blowout victory over Michigan State on Saturday. He tied a single-game Ohio State record with six touchdown passes, and he did that just in the first half. Stroud ultimately completed 32 of his 35 passes for 432 yards and the six touchdowns in Ohio State’s win. He has put up big numbers all season but his Week 12 was enough to launch him into the Heisman favorite. He has an even bigger stage next week against Michigan.

Bryce Young also had a big day on Saturday in Alabama’s close win over Arkansas. He completed 31 of his 40 passes for 559 yards and five touchdowns. His 559 passing yards set an Alabama record and passed his previous season-high by 188 yards.

On the season, Stroud has led the most dominant offense in college football. He has thrown for 3,468 yards, 36 touchdowns and five interceptions. Young has thrown for 3,584 yards, 38 touchdowns and three interceptions along with two rushing touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett is the darkhorse candidate for both awards, and the Heisman. He has more passing yards on the year (3,857) than Stroud or Young. He’s put up eight 300-plus passing yard games so far and he’s leading Pitt to their best record in years. Pickett does, however, have a worse completion percentage and one more pick than Stroud this year.

Kenneth Walker’s stock went plummeting after a poor game versus Ohio State last weekend. The nation’s leading running back got banged up and only ran for 25 yards on six carries.