Devin Leary named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list

Kentucky’s Devin Leary has been tabbed as a quarterback to watch in college football this season. The NC State transfer is one of 35 players on the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. From the SEC, Jayden Daniels (LSU), KJ Jefferson (Arkansas), Joe Milton III (Tennessee), and Will Rogers (Mississippi State) were also nominated.

Nominees are selected based on their performance last season and expectations entering 2023. It says something that Leary made the cut despite missing most of his senior season at NC State. Prior to suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in October, Leary was 118-193 with 1,265 yards, 11 TDs, and a 61 percent completion rate in six games, leading the Wolfpack to a 5-1 record and Top 15 ranking.

The season before, Leary broke Phillip Rivers’ NC State record for passing touchdowns in a single season, throwing for 35 scores to only five interceptions at a 65.7% completion rate. For that, he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Preseason Player of the Year and was one of 25 semifinalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award entering the 2022 season. Over four seasons at NC State, Leary completed 568-of-944 passes for 62 touchdowns and 6,807 career passing yards.

Now a Wildcat, Leary is tasked with replacing Will Levis, who was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in April. So far, the reviews have been stellar. Today, Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen raved about Leary, noting his strong performance in two-minute drills.

“I thought it was really nice to see. He made some great throws when we needed him to in the two-minute situation. His poise, confidence really carried over to the rest of the unit. That was great to see.”

For more quotes from Coen on Leary and the offense, check out today’s practice report. The Davey O’Brien Award midseason watch list will be released on Tuesday, Oct. 24, with the three finalists announced two weeks later on Nov. 28. The winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 7, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.

2023 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Preseason Watch List

• Carter Bradley, South Alabama, Sr., 6-3, 216, Jacksonville, Fla.
• Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose State, Sr., 6-1, 196, Honolulu, Hawai’i
• Jalon Daniels, Kansas, Jr., 6-0, 215, Lawndale, Calif.
• Jayden Daniels, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 210, San Bernardino, Calif.
• Quinn Ewers, Texas, So., 6-2, 195, Southlake, Texas
• Dequan Finn, Toledo, Jr., 6-2, 205, Detroit, Mich.
• Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Sr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawai’i
• Taylen Green, Boise State, So., 6-6, 223, Lewisville, Texas
• Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 205, Schertz, Texas
• Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-1, 212, Charlotte, N.C.
• Seth Henigan, Memphis, Jr., 6-3, 210, Denton, Texas
• Will Howard, Kansas State, Sr., 6-5, 242, Downingtown, Pa.
• KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, Sr., 6-3, 247, Sardis, Miss.
• Cade Klubnik, Clemson, So., 6-2, 195, Austin, Texas
• Devin Leary, Kentucky, Sr., 6-1, 217, Sicklerville, N.J.
• Riley Leonard, Duke, Jr., 6-4, 212, Fairhope, Ala.
• Drake Maye, North Carolina, So., 6-4, 230, Huntersville, N.C.
• Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-3, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.
• J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Jr., 6-3, 202, La Grange Park, Ill.
• Joe Milton III, Tennessee, Sr., 6-5, 235, Pahokee, Fla.
• Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 218, Waco, Texas
• Bo Nix, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 214, Pinson, Ala.
• Michael Penix Jr., Washington, Sr., 6-3, 213, Tampa, Fla.
• John Rhys Plumlee, UCF, Sr., 6-0, 200, Hattiesburg, Miss.
• Michael Pratt, Tulane, Jr., 6-3, 220, Boca Raton, Fla.
• Austin Reed, Western Kentucky, Jr., 6-2, 230, St. Augustine Beach, Fla.
• Cameron Rising, Utah, Sr., 6-2, 220, Ventura, Calif.
• Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Jr., 6-2, 210, Brandon, Miss.
• Kurtis Rourke, Ohio, Sr., 6-5, 231, Oakville, Ontario, Canada?
• Garrett Shrader, Syracuse, Sr., 6-4, 225, Charlotte, N.C.
• Jeff Sims, Nebraska, Jr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.
• Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Sr., 5-11, 208, Ewa Beach, Hawai’i
• Jordan Travis, Florida State, Sr., 6-1, 212, West Palm Beach, Fla.
• E.J. Warner, Temple, So., 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Caleb Williams, USC, Jr., 6-1, 220, Washington, D.C.

Got thoughts? Subscribe to KSR+ to continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR+ Message Board.