The race for the nation’s top quarterback award features a deep group of talented contenders every season. The Davey O’Brien Award odds typically attract plenty of attention because the honor recognizes the best quarterback in college football, with established stars and emerging names competing for the prestigious award.
Davey O’Brien Award Odds 2026: Best Bets for Top NCAA QB
- Updated Davey O'Brien Award odds for 2026
- Back this QB with +3000 odds before it's too late
- Past Davey O'Brien winners
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The Davey O'Brien Award race features elite college quarterbacks and rising stars, creating a competitive field for one of football's most prestigious individual honors...
Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Texas’ Arch Manning and Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss headlined this group to start the season, while several other quarterbacks have emerged as legitimate contenders.
The award is ultimately decided through a selection process that evaluates quarterback ability, athletic performance, leadership, character, academics, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
🏈 Davey O’Brien Award Odds 2026
| Quarterback | Davey O’Brien Award Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
 Darian Mensah |
+150 | 40.00% |
 Josh Hoover |
+400 | 20.00% |
 Trinidad Chambliss |
+500 | 16.67% |
 Gunner Stockton |
+650 | 13.33% |
 Julian Sayin |
+800 | 11.11% |
 Kevin Jennings |
+1200 | 7.69% |
 CJ Carr |
+1600 | 5.88% |
 Keelon Russell |
+2000 | 4.76% |
 Marcus Stokes |
+2500 | 3.85% |
 Bear Bachmeier |
+4000 | 2.44% |
Davey O’Brien Award odds accurate as of November 5
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Davey O’Brien Award Odds Favorites
Darian Mensah odds to win Davey O’Brien Award | +150
Darian Mensah has emerged as the clear favorite in the Davey O’Brien Award odds after leading Miami to an unbeaten 8-0 start. The Hurricanes quarterback has thrown for 2,425 yards and 25 touchdowns with just one interception, helping him become a leading contender in the Heisman Trophy odds.
His teammate Malachi Toney has also enjoyed an outstanding season, recording 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns to establish himself in the Biletnikoff Award odds. However, Toney’s recent high ankle sprain, which is expected to require surgery, could end his award hopes. His absence also presents a challenge for Mensah, who loses his most productive receiving target. While this could hurt his passing numbers and Heisman chances, Mensah has an opportunity to strengthen his Davey O’Brien candidacy by keeping Miami unbeaten without Toney.
Josh Hoover odds to win Davey O’Brien Award | +500
Josh Hoover remains a contender in the Davey O’Brien Award odds after helping Indiana build an 8-1 record through the first nine games of the season. The Hoosiers quarterback has thrown for 1,860 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just two interceptions, giving him an efficient start to his first season in Bloomington.
Indiana has also positioned itself firmly in the College Football Playoff conversation. Recent CFP projections have the Hoosiers earning a spot in the 12-team field, despite a narrow loss to Ohio State. If Hoover can rediscover his early-season form and guide Indiana through a challenging November schedule, he could strengthen his case for the Davey O’Brien Award.
Trinidad Chambliss odds to win Davey O’Brien Award | +350
Trinidad Chambliss remains in the Davey O’Brien Award odds conversation after throwing for 2,189 yards and 18 touchdowns through Ole Miss’s first eight games. He has also contributed seven rushing touchdowns, showcasing the dual-threat ability that makes him one of the SEC’s most productive quarterbacks.
The Rebels bounced back from a loss to Texas with a convincing 45-15 win over Auburn on October 31, keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Chambliss also benefits from a strong supporting cast, including running back Kewan Lacy, who has recorded 388 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Lacy was a Doak Walker Award finalist last season and remains relevant in the Doak Walker Award odds discussion. If both continue producing, Ole Miss could make a strong push late in the season.
Davey O’Brien Award Odds Sleeper Pick
Bear Bachmeier odds to win Davey O’Brien Award | +4000
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Bear Bachmeier deserves a closer look in the Davey O’Brien Award odds after leading BYU to a 28-24 upset win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame on October 17. The sophomore quarterback delivered a memorable all-around performance, throwing for 224 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing scores and a receiving touchdown. He was subsequently named a Davey O’Brien Great 8 selection.
Bachmeier has thrown for 1,750 yards and 12 touchdowns through eight games, adding seven rushing scores. Although BYU suffered a double-overtime loss to UCF, the Cougars remain in the CFP conversation. He is still a long shot compared with favorites Mensah and Chambliss, but his dual-threat production makes him a potential value bet in the Davey O’Brien Award odds if his price remains generous.
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Davey O’Brien Award Odds Breakdown
The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding quarterback. The award was first issued nationally in 1981 after initially being tied to the Southwestern United States, and candidates are evaluated for their performance while also representing qualities such as leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.
The selection process includes the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee, with fan voting capable of providing bonus ballots. In 2025, finalists were determined using committee ballots plus bonus ballots from the final round of the fan vote.
That makes the award somewhat different from simply betting on passing statistics. A quarterback’s production, team success, national profile and performance against quality opponents can all help shape the race. Bettors following the Doak Walker Award odds or Biletnikoff Award odds can use similar principles when evaluating running back and wide receiver award races.
Davey O’Brien Award Odds Trends
Recent Davey O’Brien Award odds trends show how frequently the honor has gone to quarterbacks from major programs and national contenders. Fernando Mendoza won in 2025 at Indiana, following Cam Ward at Miami in 2024 and Jayden Daniels at LSU in 2023. Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Clemson have also produced multiple winners, while many recent recipients went on to become prominent NFL prospects.
Previous Davey O’Brien Award Winners
| Year | Winner | School | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | Big Ten |
| 2024 | Cam Ward | Miami | ACC |
| 2023 | Jayden Daniels | LSU | SEC |
| 2022 | Max Duggan | TCU | Big 12 |
| 2021 | Bryce Young | Alabama | SEC |
| 2020 | Mac Jones | Alabama | SEC |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU | SEC |
| 2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma | Big 12 |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma | Big 12 |
| 2016 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | ACC |
| 2015 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | ACC |
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❓ Davey O’Brien Award odds FAQs
What is the Davey O’Brien Award?
The Davey O’Brien Award is given annually to the nation’s top college quarterback. It was first presented nationally in 1981 and is named after TCU quarterback Davey O’Brien. The award considers performance along with leadership, teamwork and sportsmanship.
Who is favored to win the Davey O’Brien Award?
Darian Mensah is currently favored to win the Davey O’Brien Award after his spectacular performances in Weeks 1-3 for Miami. He completed 27 of 30 passes for 401 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-6 win over Stanford, quickly moving from the preseason pack to the top of the market. His strong debut also pushed him to the top of the Heisman Trophy odds, making Mensah one of the biggest early risers in college football.
Who is the best sleeper for the award?
Preseason favorite CJ Carr is an appealing Davey O’Brien sleeper at +1300. has completed 72.6% of his passes for 726 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions through three games, helping Notre Dame open the season 3-0. He followed a four-touchdown outing against Rice with 234 yards against Michigan State, adding a rushing touchdown in Notre Dame’s 27-10 victory.
How is the Davey O’Brien Award winner selected?
The winner is selected through voting from the Davey O’Brien National Selection Committee. Fan voting can also provide bonus ballots that are added to the committee’s votes. Three finalists are announced before the winner is revealed during the college football awards season.
Which schools have produced the most recent winners?
Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Clemson have each produced multiple winners during the modern era. Recent winners have also come from Miami, TCU and Indiana. The recent history shows that quarterbacks on nationally competitive Power Four teams have dominated the award.
Does winning the award help a quarterback’s NFL prospects?
Winning the award does not guarantee NFL success, but the historical connection is notable. Recent winners including Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield, Deshaun Watson, Bryce Young and Jayden Daniels went on to become NFL quarterbacks. The award can therefore serve as another marker of elite college production and talent.
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Chris Roberts
