Keep an eye on this QB

[chesapeakejet]

The kid is really, REALLY good. Extremely accurate. And he's just a sophmore.

ODU's Heinicke a finalist for Dudley Award

Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke is one of three finalists for the Dudley Award, presented to Virginia’s best Division I player, officials from the Touchdown Club of Richmond announced this morning.

Heinicke, University of Virginia linebacker Steve Greer and James Madison linebacker Stephon Robertson are the other finalists.

The award is named for former University of Virginia star Bill Dudley. The award will be presented Wednesday night at a banquet in Richmond by officials from the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper, which co-sponsors the event.

Heinicke, a sophomore from suburban Atlanta, has led ODU to an 11-1 record, the school’s best ever, and a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The Monarchs defeated Coastal Carolina, 63-35, in the second round this past weeekend and host Georgia Southern Saturday at noon in a quarterfinal game. The contest will be ODU’s first football game to be broadcast on ESPN.

Heinicke has completed 367 of 535 passes for 4,655 yards, and is just 209 yards away from breaking the single-season FCS record for passing yards. The record is held by former Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair, who threw for 4,863 yards in 1994.

Heinicke has also named one of three finalists for the Walter Payton Award, given annually to the nation’s top FCS player.

The Dudely Award has been dominated by players from Virginia and Virginia Tech, the state’s only two Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Tech players have won six of the last eight awards and 12 of the last 19. The only FCS players to win the trophy were James Madison quarterback Rodney Landers in 2008 and University of Richmond defensive tackle Marc Megna in 1998.

ODU is transitioning from FCS to FBS, and will play a full schedule in Conference USA in 2014.

[chesapeakejet]

NOON THIS SATURDAY ON ESPN, SEE HIM BREAK AIR MCNAIR'S PASSING MARK!