FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 10, 2026) — The Davey O’Brien Foundation unveiled the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2026 today, a group that includes 30 players from across the nation who are now officially in contention for the 2026 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.
This year’s list features 16 seniors, nine juniors and five sophomores. With seven quarterbacks named to the list, the Southeastern Conference leads the way. The SEC is followed by the Big 12 Conference (6) and Atlantic Coast Conference (5).
For the sixth straight year, fan voting on social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter) will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. First-round fan voting began immediately following the QB Class announcement and will run through Sunday, Nov. 15. To vote, fans must simply like the official graphic from the @daveyobrien social media account that highlights their favorite quarterback.
The list of semifinalists selected from the QB Class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The Foundation will announce the three finalists the following week (Tuesday, Nov. 24). The 2026 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
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. This year, the Davey O’Brien Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary year. The 50th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner honoring the winner will be held Monday, March 8, 2027, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information, visit www.daveyobrienaward.com.
Davey O’Brien Award QB Class of 2026
Braden Atkinson, Oregon State, So. 6-1, 208, Raleigh, N.C.
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, So., 6-2, 230, Murrieta, Calif.
Blake Baker, Louisiana Tech, Sr., 6-5, 220, Cypress, Texas
CJ Carr, Notre Dame, Jr., 6-2, 215, Saline, Mich.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Sr., 6-0, 210, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Aidan Chiles, Northwestern, Sr., 6-4, 225, Long Beach, Calif.
Devon Dampier, Utah, Sr., 5-11, 210, Phoenix, Ariz.
Noah Fifita, Arizona, Sr., 5-10, 189, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Ethan Grunkemeyer, Virginia Tech, Jr., 6-3, 213, Lewis Center, Ohio
Jackson Gutierrez, Navy, Jr., 6-0, 207, San Antonio, Texas
Michael Hawkins Jr., West Virginia, So., 6-1, 205, Dallas, Texas
Josh Hoover, Indiana, Sr., 6-2, 205, Heath, Texas
Brad Jackson, Texas State, So., 6-0, 197, San Antonio, Texas
Tayven Jackson, North Texas, Sr., 6-4, 209, Greenwood, Ind.
Kevin Jennings, SMU, Sr., 6-0, 195, Oak Cliff, Texas
Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville, Sr., 6-2, 215, Pierre, S.D.
Sam Leavitt, LSU, Jr., 6-2, 207, West Linn, Ore.
Gio Lopez, Wake Forest, Jr., 6-0, 220, Madison, Ala.
Jayden Maiava, USC, Sr., 6-4, 230, Palolo, Hawaii
Arch Manning, Texas, Sr., 6-4, 222, New Orleans, La.
Darian Mensah, Miami, Jr., 6-3, 205, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State, Jr., 6-3, 215, Austin, Texas
John Alan Richter, Toledo, Jr., 6-3, 225, Gray, Ga.
Keelon Russell, Alabama, So., 6-3, 207, Duncanville, Texas
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina, Sr., 6-3, 238, Florence, S.C.
Austin Simmons, Missouri, Sr., 6-2, 220, Miami, Fla.
Gunner Stockton, Georgia, Sr., 6-1, 215, Tiger, Ga.
Marcus Stokes, Memphis, Jr., 6-2, 209, St. Augustine, Fla.
Caden Veltkamp, Florida Atlantic, Sr., 6-5, 235, Bowling Green, Ky.
Conner Weigman, Houston, Sr., 6-3, 210, Cypress, Texas