CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference is strongly represented on the national stage, as seven of its standout quarterbacks were named to the 2025 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Preseason Watch List, unveiled today by the Davey O’Brien Foundation.
The preseason list consists of 36 of the nation’s top returning college quarterbacks and features 16 seniors, 13 juniors and seven sophomores. Six players – including Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Kevin Jennings (SMU) – were semifinalists in 2024.
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The 49th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, February 16, 2026, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.daveyobrienaward.com.
ACC Players Named to the 2025 Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List
Name, School, Class
Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Senior
Darian Mensah, Duke, Sophomore
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Senior
Miller Moss, Louisville, Senior
Carson Beck, Miami, Senior
Kevin Jennings, SMU, Sophomore
Chandler Morris, Virginia, Senior
Compiled by a subset of the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, this year’s list was selected based on previous NCAA Division I career player performance as well as expectations heading into the 2025 college football season.
The official Davey O’Brien Midseason Watch List will be released on Tuesday, October 21. It will include active quarterbacks from the preseason list, weekly Great 8 honorees from the first eight weeks, and any additional players approved by the selection subcommittee.
The 35-player Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2025 will be announced on Tuesday, October 28. Fan voting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) will again count as bonus committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner rounds. First-round voting begins October 28, following the QB Class announcement.
Semifinalists will be revealed on Wednesday, November 12, with the three finalists announced on Tuesday, November 25. The 2025 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be announced live on ESPN on Thursday, December 11, during
The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.