Harrell Named O'Brien Semifinalist

Oct. 29, 2007

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech junior QB Graham Harrell (Ennis, Texas) was named one of 15 semifinalists Monday for the prestigious Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, presented annually to the nation's top quarterback. Harrell is the fourth quarterback since 2000 named to the semifinalist list - Kliff Kingsbury (2002), B.J. Symons (2003) and Cody Hodges (2005).

Directing the nation's top offense, Harrell is 21 yards from becoming only the fifth player in NCAA history to record multiple 4,000-yard seasons. Harrell has 3,979 yards this season and could join Ty Detmer (BYU), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), Timmy Chang (Hawaii) and Byron Leftwich (Marshall) as the only players to reach the plateau at least twice (Detmer and Chang did it three times). Harrell recorded 4,555 passing yards a year ago.

Harrell also leads the country in several categories, including total offense (434.3), passing yards (3,979) and passing yards per game (442.1), while he is second in points responsible for per game (25.3) and fourth in pass efficiency (162.3). Harrell has thrown for at least 400 yards in all but two games this season, including the fourth best single-game performance in NCAA history with 646 yards at Oklahoma State.

When voting the selection committee for The O'Brien is asked to evaluate each candidate on quarterback skills, athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship. The combination of votes from the selection committee and fan vote will determine the finalists as well as the winner this season, with five percent of the total vote coming from dedicated fans.

"The semifinalist list confirms that being a player of strong character and leadership combined with talent and academics can translate into more than just wins on the field," said Danielle Moorman, executive director of the Davey O'Brien Foundation. "The O'Brien recognizes the diligence and commitment of these young men to their teams, their schools and the true spirit of the game."

Balloting for three finalists closes November 18. The three finalists will be in attendance in Orlando, Fla., where The O'Brien winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN December 6.

Fans are encouraged to vote for semifinalist candidates once daily on The O'Brien's web site at www.daveyobrien.com. The voting will continue throughout the semifinalist and finalist rounds until The O'Brien winner is announced, with five percent of the final tally coming directly from the fan vote.

2007 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award SemifinalistsTodd Boeckman, Ohio State, JuniorSam Bradford, Oklahoma, FreshmanColt Brennan, Hawaii, SeniorBrian Brohm, Louisville, SeniorShaun Carney, Air Force, SeniorRudy Carpenter, Arizona State, JuniorChase Daniel, Missouri, JuniorDennis Dixon, Oregon, SeniorGraham Harrell, Texas Tech, JuniorCorey Leonard, Arkansas State, SophomoreTodd Reesing, Kansas, SophomoreMatt Ryan, Boston College, SeniorTim Tebow, Florida, SophomorePat White, West Virginia, JuniorAndre Woodson, Kentucky, Senior

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