Nick Fitzgerald was one of just six SEC quarterbacks to be named to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List.
Fitzgerald Selected to Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
July 17, 2018 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Nick Fitzgerald racked up another preseason honor as the senior quarterback was selected to the Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Davey O'Brien Foundation announced on Tuesday.
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. Fitzgerald was one eight 2017 Davey O'Brien Award semifinalists and just one of six Southeastern Conference quarterbacks to be selected to the 2018 watch list.
Returning for his senior season, Fitzgerald ranks as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to ever play in the SEC as he enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while compiling 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind just Lamar Jackson to rank second in the FBS with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald's impressive junior campaign came to a close during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl as an ankle injury sidelined the Richmond Hill, Ga., native for the remainder of the season.
Sixteen semifinalists for the award will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 6. From that list, the Foundation will announce the three finalists on Monday, Nov. 19. The 2018 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live Thursday, Dec. 6, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
Jake Bentley, South Carolina, (Jr., Opelika, Ala.)
Jake Browning, Washington (Sr., Folsom, Calif.)
Kelly Bryant, Clemson (Sr., Calhoun Falls, S.C.)
Mason Fine, North Texas (Jr., Peggs, Okla.)
Ryan Finley, NC State (Sr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State (Sr., Richmond Hill, Ga.)
Andrew Ford, UMass (Sr., Camp Hill, Penn.)
Jake Fromm, Georgia (So., Warner Robins, Ga.)
Will Grier, West Virginia (Sr., Charlotte, N.C.)
Justice Hansen, Arkansas State (Sr., Edmond, Okla.)
Justin Herbert, Oregon (Jr., Eugene, Ore.)
Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin (Jr., West Chester, Penn.)
Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Jr., Houston, Texas)
Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (Jr., Norton Shores, Mich.)
Daniel Jones, Duke (Jr., Charlotte, N.C.)
Kyle Kempt, Iowa State (Sr., Massilon, Ohio)
Brian Lewerke, Michigan State (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
Drew Lock, Missouri (Sr., Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Trace McSorley, Penn State (Sr., Ashburn, Va.)
McKenzie Milton, UCF (Jr., Kapolei, Hawaii)
Nathan Rourke, Ohio (Jr., Oakville, Ontario)
Brett Rypien, Boise State (Sr., Spokane, Wash.)
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn (Jr., Stephenville, Texas)
Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee (Sr., Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Khalil Tate, Arizona (Jr., Inglewood, Calif.)
Manny Wilkins, Arizona State (Sr., Novato, Calif.)
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
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. Fitzgerald was one eight 2017 Davey O'Brien Award semifinalists and just one of six Southeastern Conference quarterbacks to be selected to the 2018 watch list.
Returning for his senior season, Fitzgerald ranks as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to ever play in the SEC as he enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while compiling 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind just Lamar Jackson to rank second in the FBS with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald's impressive junior campaign came to a close during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl as an ankle injury sidelined the Richmond Hill, Ga., native for the remainder of the season.
Sixteen semifinalists for the award will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 6. From that list, the Foundation will announce the three finalists on Monday, Nov. 19. The 2018 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live Thursday, Dec. 6, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
Jake Bentley, South Carolina, (Jr., Opelika, Ala.)
Jake Browning, Washington (Sr., Folsom, Calif.)
Kelly Bryant, Clemson (Sr., Calhoun Falls, S.C.)
Mason Fine, North Texas (Jr., Peggs, Okla.)
Ryan Finley, NC State (Sr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State (Sr., Richmond Hill, Ga.)
Andrew Ford, UMass (Sr., Camp Hill, Penn.)
Jake Fromm, Georgia (So., Warner Robins, Ga.)
Will Grier, West Virginia (Sr., Charlotte, N.C.)
Justice Hansen, Arkansas State (Sr., Edmond, Okla.)
Justin Herbert, Oregon (Jr., Eugene, Ore.)
Alex Hornibrook, Wisconsin (Jr., West Chester, Penn.)
Jalen Hurts, Alabama (Jr., Houston, Texas)
Tyree Jackson, Buffalo (Jr., Norton Shores, Mich.)
Daniel Jones, Duke (Jr., Charlotte, N.C.)
Kyle Kempt, Iowa State (Sr., Massilon, Ohio)
Brian Lewerke, Michigan State (Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
Drew Lock, Missouri (Sr., Lee's Summit, Mo.)
Trace McSorley, Penn State (Sr., Ashburn, Va.)
McKenzie Milton, UCF (Jr., Kapolei, Hawaii)
Nathan Rourke, Ohio (Jr., Oakville, Ontario)
Brett Rypien, Boise State (Sr., Spokane, Wash.)
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn (Jr., Stephenville, Texas)
Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee (Sr., Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
Khalil Tate, Arizona (Jr., Inglewood, Calif.)
Manny Wilkins, Arizona State (Sr., Novato, Calif.)
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
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