Colt McCoy named to 2009 O'Brien Award watch list

Colt McCoy

Texas senior QB Colt McCoy has been selected to the watch list of the 2009 Davey O’Brien Award, honoring the nation’s top quarterback, the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced today on ESPN’s College Football Live.

McCoy was a finalist for the award last season and will attempt to become Texas’ second winner in the last five years, following Vince Young in 2005. Earl Campbell also won in 1977 when it honored the top player in the Southwest.

In 2008, McCoy went 332-of-433 (76.7%) for 3,859 yards and 34 TDs, with eight INTs, for a passer rating of 173.8, which ranked third nationally. His 76.7 completion percentage set the NCAA single-season record, surpassing Daunte Culpepper’s mark of 73.6% set in 1998. He also set a UT single-season passing record against Texas A&M, bettering Major Applewhite’s 3,357 yards in 1999.

McCoy posted a UT-record 4,420 yards of total offense, passing Vince Young (4,086 yards, 2005) in the Fiesta Bowl, and averaged 7.8 yards per play and 340.0 total yards per game, which ranked fifth nationally.

With 12 wins in 2008, McCoy has a career record of 32-7, which is first on UT’s all-time victories list, passing Vince Young (30-2, 2003-05). During his 39-game career, McCoy has completed 825-of-1,175 passes (70.2%/No. 1 on UT’s all-time list) for 9,732 yards and 85 TDs against 33 INTs for a passer rating of 158.0 (No. 1 on UT’s all-time list). His 9,732 yards, 85 career TD passes, 825 completions and 1,175 attempts are all the most in UT history. McCoy also ranks first on UT’s TDs responsible for list with 102.

In addition, McCoy has rushed for 1,223 yards and 17 TDs on 318 carries (3.8 ypc) and has rushed and passed for a TD in the same game 12 times during his career. Overall, McCoy is UT’s all-time leader in total offense, having produced 10,955 yards to better Vince Young’s 9,167 total yards.

An Academic All-America nominee and three-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection, McCoy is on pace to graduate in December with a degree in sports management. He also is one of UT’s most active community service participants and has been selected to the Allstate AFCA and Big 12 Good Works teams. McCoy has spent his last two spring breaks traveling to Peru to perform mission work, and he regularly serves as a featured speaker representing the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of The O’Brien Selection Committee. The list focuses on a select group of quarterbacks who have demonstrated what members of the committee have recognized as tremendous preseason talent. The award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field.

The O’Brien will follow performances of all FBS quarterbacks until Semifinalists are selected in late October. Semifinalists will be announced October 26; Finalists November 23; and the Winner December 10. During all rounds of voting, The O’Brien Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

Today marked the first time in the award’s history the watch list was announced on ESPN’s College Football Live. The 2009 O’Brien Winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN December 10. The recipient will be honored February 15, 2010, at the 33rd Annual O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

Source: MackBrown-TexasFootball.com