Notre Dame Football: Ian Book is dark horse to win Davey O’Brien Award

Notre Dame football has no questions at quarterback entering fall camp. In fact, Ian Book could bring home some hardware at season’s end.

It hasn’t been often that the Notre Dame football team has entered Fall camp without any uncertainty or speculation at the quarterback position. Even though the Irish were steadfast that Brandon Wimbush would be the starter entering 2018, many speculated about Ian Book’s abilities. It wasn’t long before Book took over the starter and took the Irish offense to new heights.

The scary part for opposing defenses is that Book will look to improve and take the Irish to bigger and better places in 2019. If he is able to do that, he will, without a doubt, be a dark horse to bring home some major hardware by season’s end, including the prestigious Davey O’Brien Award.

The award’s watch list was released today. Book’s name was on that list.

Originally, the Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy was presented annually to the most outstanding player in the Southwestern states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Four years later, the award was expanded nationally in scope and limited to quarterback, the primary position of the award’s namesake. The Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.

The Davey O’Brien Award honors candidates who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.

Awhile back, I took a look at Book’s chances at winning the Heisman Trophy, comparing his numbers to former Heisman Trophy winner and number one overall draft pick, Kyler Murray. Murray also won the Davey O’Brien Award.

Last season, Book threw for about 263 yards and 2 touchdowns per game. When you exclude the game against Vanderbilt in which he threw only 3 passes, his average yardage per game would go up to 292 yards per game.

With an experienced offensive line and a host of talented wide receivers and tight ends, it would be reasonable to expect Book’s passing numbers to increase. And with the Irish having some question marks on defense, the offense will likely be forced to carry the day.

If Book can take the Irish to new heights the way many think he can, there’s no reason to think that he can’t bring home the Davey O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season.