TCU’s Max Duggan presented Davey O’Brien Award

AP

TCU quarterback Max Duggan smiles for photos with the Davey O’Brien Award in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

By Micah Pearce, Staff Writer
Published Feb 22, 2023

Heisman-winning quarterback Davey O’Brien attended TCU and won a national championship in 1938. 83 years later, Max Duggan, who decided to enter the NFL draft, carried on his legacy as the first quarterback from TCU to receive the Davey O’Brien Award.

According to the Davey O’Brien Award website, the award honors quarterbacks “who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship and leadership in both academics and athletics.”

Max Duggan led the Frogs, who were picked seventh in the Big 12 preseason poll, to a conference championship game against No. 14 Kansas State. He then threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, taking the Frogs to the national championship. He also tallied two rushing touchdowns.

TCU quaterback Max Duggan set up behind the offensive line. He was the runner up for the Heisman Award and helped the Frogs make it to their first College Football Playoffs, which they won 51-45. Dec. 31, 2022. (Tristen Smith/Staff Photographer)

Duggan ended the season with 3,698 passing yards, including 32 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for a total of 423 yards, including nine rushing touchdowns.

The namesake of the Davey O’Brien Award grew up in North Texas. O’Brien was named to the first-team All-Southwest Conference in his first season as a starter in 1937, according to the award website.

In 1938, O’Brien threw for 1,457 yards, which was a Southwest Conference record that lasted 10 years. He led TCU to its first undefeated season. Duggan led the 2022 Horned Frog team to an undefeated regular season, losing their first game in the Big 12 Conference Championship game.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan sits with the Davey O’Brien Award football in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (AP)

In addition to the O’Brien award, Duggan took home the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. He was also named to the 2022 All-Big 12 First Team.

Duggan’s influence didn’t end after the football season.

After being presented the O’Brien Award on Monday, Feb. 20, he showed up to the TCU basketball game to catch the end of the matchup against the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks.

Duggan participated in the 2023 Senior Bowl earlier this month and will participate in the 2023 NFL draft Combine later this month.

The quarterback will look to see his name on the NFL draft board come April 27-29.