Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly named to the Davey O’Brien Watch List

Ole Miss senior quarterback Chad Kelly was named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list on Thursday morning. The award is presented to the nation’s best quarterback by the Davey O’Brien Foundation.

Last week, Kelly was named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which is presented to the college player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.

Chad Kelly and Laquon Treadwell celebrate the Rebels’ win over Oklahoma State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. (Photo credit: Amanda Swain, The Rebel Walk)

Kelly, who is one of three representatives for the Rebels at SEC Media Days, comes into his final season with the spotlight squarely on his head after leading Ole Miss to a 10-3 finish – that included a 48-20 win over Oklahoma State in the Allstate Sugar Bowl – in the 2015-16 season.

The Buffalo, New York native led the SEC in passing yards (4,042). Last season, Kelly broke or tied 14 single-season school records, including total offense yards, touchdowns responsible for (41) and completion percentage (65.1).

Outside of Kelly, returning winner Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Tennessee’s Josh Dobbs and Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett were among the other notable quarterbacks to be named to the Davey O’Brien watch list.

Sixteen semifinalists for the award will be named on Thursday, Nov. 10. From that list, the Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce the three finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The 2016 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be announced live Thursday, Dec. 8 on The Home Depot College Football Awards.

(Feature image credit: Amanda Swain, The Rebel Walk)