University of Memphis Athletics
Nov 10, 2026 | Football
FORT WORTH, Texas – University of Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes has been announced as a member of the Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2026, a group of 30 players that puts Stokes in contention for the 2026 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
This season, Stokes has guided the Memphis offense to the fifth-highest total offense (513.3) mark at the FBS level, having a ninth-ranked rushing offense (222.8) and the 13th-best passing attack (290.6), while also having the fourth-best team passing efficiency (178.06). Stokes himself also currently holds top-10 marks nationally in passing efficiency (178.5), passing yards (2,532), passing touchdowns (25) and total offense (310.3).
Stokes has picked up numerous honors in his first season with the Tigers, being a two-time American Offensive Player of the Week, two-time American Weekly Honorable Mention and a three-time honoree on both the Davey O'Brien Great 8 and Manning Award Stars of the Week. He was also named to the Manning Award Midseason Watch List on Oct. 23.
Earlier this season, Stokes became the first Memphis quarterback to be named the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week since Brady White during the 2020 season. He also becomes the first Memphis quarterback since White to be named to a Davey O'Brien QB Class.
Stokes is one of four quarterbacks from the American to named to the class, joined by Florida Atlantic's Caden Veltkamp, North Texas' Tayven Jackson and Navy's Jackson Gutierrez.
For the sixth year, fan voting on social media will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. To vote for Marcus Stokes, fans must simply like the official graphic from the Davey O'Brien social media account that highlights him.
The list of semifinalists selected from the class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The Foundation will announce the three finalists the following week. The Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Davey O'Brien Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
UP NEXT
Memphis (7-2, 4-1 American) is set for another Thursday night game, traveling to the Sunshine State for a matchup with South Florida (6-3, 2-3 American) on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
BUY TICKETS NOW
Single-game tickets can be purchased online at THIS LINK or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331. For group tickets and experiences, please contact the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
For premium seating experiences, please contact the Memphis Athletic Fund at MAFpremium@memphis.edu.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
This season, Stokes has guided the Memphis offense to the fifth-highest total offense (513.3) mark at the FBS level, having a ninth-ranked rushing offense (222.8) and the 13th-best passing attack (290.6), while also having the fourth-best team passing efficiency (178.06). Stokes himself also currently holds top-10 marks nationally in passing efficiency (178.5), passing yards (2,532), passing touchdowns (25) and total offense (310.3).
Stokes has picked up numerous honors in his first season with the Tigers, being a two-time American Offensive Player of the Week, two-time American Weekly Honorable Mention and a three-time honoree on both the Davey O'Brien Great 8 and Manning Award Stars of the Week. He was also named to the Manning Award Midseason Watch List on Oct. 23.
Earlier this season, Stokes became the first Memphis quarterback to be named the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Week since Brady White during the 2020 season. He also becomes the first Memphis quarterback since White to be named to a Davey O'Brien QB Class.
Stokes is one of four quarterbacks from the American to named to the class, joined by Florida Atlantic's Caden Veltkamp, North Texas' Tayven Jackson and Navy's Jackson Gutierrez.
For the sixth year, fan voting on social media will earn players bonus selection committee votes during the semifinalist, finalist and winner voting rounds. To vote for Marcus Stokes, fans must simply like the official graphic from the Davey O'Brien social media account that highlights him.
The list of semifinalists selected from the class will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The Foundation will announce the three finalists the following week. The Davey O'Brien Award winner will be unveiled live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 11, during The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Davey O'Brien Award is presented annually to the nation's best college quarterback and is the oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.
UP NEXT
Memphis (7-2, 4-1 American) is set for another Thursday night game, traveling to the Sunshine State for a matchup with South Florida (6-3, 2-3 American) on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
BUY TICKETS NOW
Single-game tickets can be purchased online at THIS LINK or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331. For group tickets and experiences, please contact the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
For premium seating experiences, please contact the Memphis Athletic Fund at MAFpremium@memphis.edu.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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