John Parker Wilson named semifinalist for top QB award

October 27, 2008

By Ken Rogers

Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson was named one of 13 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award on Monday.
The O’Brien award goes to the nation’s top college quarterback.
Wilson, who already owns every significant career passing record at Alabama, is one of three SEC quarterbacks among the semifinalists, joining Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and Georgia’s Matthew Stafford.
“This is a great honor, but one that I would not be receiving if it wasn’t for the play of my offensive line and really our entire team,” Wilson said in a statement released by the university. “The quarterback play across the country has been outstanding this year and I am excited to be listed among this group of quarterbacks.
“Our offensive line has provided plenty of time to throw the football and our receivers and tight ends have caught almost everything thrown their way. The running game has also been a key component that has allowed us to have a balanced offensive attack.”
Wilson, from Hoover, has guided the Crimson Tide to an 8-0 record and No. 2 national ranking. He is Alabama’s career leader in passing yards (6,911), completions (587), touchdowns (45) and attempts (1,028). He also holds the single-season record in all four of those categories.
He has completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 1,260 yards and eight touchdowns. Wilson has thrown just three interceptions and has added two rushing touchdowns this season. He ranks fourth in the Southeastern Conference in passing efficiency with a 133.66 rating.
Fans can vote for semifinalist candidates once per day at http://www.VoteOBrien.org. Five percent of the evaluation tally comes from the fan vote. The finalist will be selected on Nov. 24 and the 2008 winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN December 11. The recipient will be honored Feb. 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O’Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

2008 O’Brien Semifinalists:
Sam Bradford, soph., Oklahoma; Daryll Clark, jr., Penn State; Chase Daniel, sr., Missouri; Max Hall, jr., BYU; Graham Harrell, sr. Texas Tech; David Johnson, sr., Tulsa; Colt McCoy, jr., Texas; Todd Reesing, jr., Kansas; Zac Robinson, jr., Oklahoma State; Mark Sanchez, jr., USC; Matthew Stafford, jr., Georgia; Tim Tebow, jr., Florida; John Parker Wilson, sr., Alabama.