FORT WORTH, Texas — BYU junior quarterback Jaren Hall was named to the 2022 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Preseason Watch List today, a group that includes 35 of the nation’s top returning collegiate quarterbacks.
The Davey O’Brien Award is presented annually to the best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award. The award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.
As a sophomore in 2021, Hall was on the Davey O’Brien Award Midseason Watch List and was one of eight quarterbacks named to the Davey O'Brien Award's Great 8 list for his performance in week two of the year leading BYU to a 26-17 win over nationally ranked in-state rival Utah. Hall went 18 of 30 for 149 yards and three touchdowns, while carrying the ball eight times for 92 yards in the Cougar victory.
At the end of the 2021 season, Hall was named Pro Football Network All-Independent Quarterback of the Year and was named to the Phil Steele All-Independent First Team as well as the Pro Football Network All-Independent First Team.
Despite missing three games due to injury in 2021, Hall completed 189 of 296 passes for 2,583 yards and 20 touchdowns, while compiling an efficiency rating of 156.1. He also had 62 caries for 307 yards (4.9 per carry) and three rushing touchdowns, while leading No. 19 ranked BYU to eight wins in 10 starts during the 2021 season. Hall was recognized by College Sports Madness as Independent Offensive Player of the Week twice during the season.
In 1981, the Davey O’Brien Educational and Charitable Trust named Jim McMahon the first recipient of the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. BYU quarterbacks have won the Award four times—second only to Oklahoma who has won five. In addition to Davey O’Brien Award winners McMahon (1981), Steve Young (1983) and Ty Detmer (1990 and 1991), Robbie Bosco finished runner-up in 1984 and Steve Sarkisian finished third in 1996.
The official Davey O’Brien Quarterback Class of 2022 will be announced on Oct. 25. Fan voting on social media will play a role in the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting totals when combined with the national selection committee’s ballots.
A total of 16 semifinalists selected from the Quarterback Class will be named on Nov. 8, with three finalists announced by the Foundation on Nov. 21. The 2022 Davey O’Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on Dec. 8, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
2022 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
Brennan Armstrong, Virginia, Sr., 6-2, 212, Shelby, Ohio
Stetson Bennett, Georgia, Sr., 5-11, 190, Blackshear, Ga.
Gerry Bohanon, USF, Sr., 6-3, 221, Earle, Ark.
Logan Bonner, Utah State, Sr., 6-1, 230, Rowlett, Texas
Chase Brice, Appalachian State, Sr., 6-3, 235, Grayson, Ga.
Sean Clifford, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 212, Cincinnati, Ohio
Malik Cunningham, Louisville, Sr., 6-1, 190, Montgomery, Ala.
Brett Gabbert, Miami (OH), Jr., 6-0, 209, St. Louis, Mo.
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Jr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawaii
Jake Haener, Fresno State, Sr., 6-1, 210, Danville, Calif.
Jaren Hall, BYU, Jr., 6-1, 205, Spanish Fork, Utah
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 200, Schertz, Texas
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, Jr., 6-1, 208, Charlotte, N.C.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, Sr., 6-4, 218, Greensboro, N.C.
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, Jr., 6-3, 242, Sardis, Miss.
Devin Leary, NC State, Jr., 6-1, 215, Sicklerville, N.J.
Will Levis, Kentucky, Sr., 6-3, 232, Madison, Conn.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Jr., 6-3, 210, Indian Trail, N.C.
Tanner McKee, Stanford, Jr., 6-6, 226, Corona, Calif.
Tanner Mordecai, SMU, Sr., 6-3, 218, Waco, Texas
Bo Nix, Oregon, Jr., 6-3, 214, Pinson, Ala.
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue, Sr., 6-3, 210, Long Grove, Ill.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina, Jr., 6-1, 210, Phoenix, Ariz.
Chris Reynolds, Charlotte, Sr., 5-11, 210, Mocksville, N.C.
Cameron Rising, Utah, Jr., 6-2, 220, Ventura, Calif.,
Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Jr., 6-2, 210, Brandon, Miss.
Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State, Sr., 6-1, 210, Denton, Texas
C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Jr., 6-3, 215, Inland Empire, Calif.
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Jr., 5-11, 200, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA, Sr., 6-1, 205, Las Vegas, Nev.
Payton Thorne, Michigan State, Jr., 6-2, 210, Naperville, Ill.
Clayton Tune, Houston, Sr., 6-3, 215, Carrollton, Texas
Tyler Van Dyke, Miami, So., 6-4, 224, Glastonbury, Conn.
Caleb Williams, USC, So., 6-1, 215, Washington, D.C.
Bryce Young, Alabama, Jr., 6-0, 194, Pasadena, Calif.