Kedon Slovis named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list
Watch List season rolls on this week, and USC quarterback Kedon Slovis landed on another one. A day after Slovis was named to the Maxwell Award watch list, the Trojans’ junior quarterback was named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list on Tuesday, an award given to the nation’s top quarterback.
Slovis had a bit of an up-and-down sophomore season, but the highlights were outstanding. He led game-winning drives against Arizona State, Arizona and UCLA, and three five touchdown passes in back-to-back games. Overall, Slovis completed 67% of his passes for 1,921 yards and 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions. No quarterback in the country completed more passes per game than Slovis, at 29.5, and he ranked 13th in total offense.
The biggest issue for Slovis this season will be staying upright. USC allowed 15 sacks in six games last season and Slovis had to be helped off the field following the final play of the season after suffering a shoulder sprain. If the USC offensive line can keep him protected and healthy for an entire season, his production numbers should be up there with the best in the country.
He’s already 10th on USC’s career total offense list despite playing in just 18 games. He’ll also have a chance to set a new USC career completion percentage record. He holds the top spot right now at 70%, above Cody Kessler’s mark of 67.5%.
Slovis is one of four Pac-12 quarterbacks on the watch list, joined by Utah’s Charlie Brewer, Arizona State’s Jayden Daniels and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson. USC’s season will kick off against another O’Brien Award watch list quarterback, in San Jose State’s Nick Starkel.
No USC quarterback has ever won the Davey O’Brien Award, given annually since 1981.
