FORT WORTH, Texas — University of Hawai'i sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado has been named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.

The Davey O'Brien Foundation, celebrating its landmark 50th anniversary season, unveiled its exclusive list featuring 30 of the nation's top returning collegiate quarterbacks. Alejado is one of only six sophomores in the country to receive the honor. The selection committee compiled this year's watch list based on previous Division I career player performance and high expectations heading into the 2026 college football campaign. 

Alejado's selection continues an extraordinary summer of national recognition for the Rainbow Warrior quarterback. Over the course of the last month, the sophomore has been placed on the the watch lists for some of the nation's most prestigious awards including: the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch and finally the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.

Alejado led the Rainbow Warriors to a 9-4 record and a Hawai'i Bowl victory over California in 2025, while completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,106 yards and a conference-leading 24 touchdowns. He's been tabbed as the the Mountain West Preseason Offensive Player of the Year heading into the 2026 campaign.

Active starting quarterbacks on the preseason list will be evaluated alongside weekly honorees to form the official Davey O'Brien Midseason Watch List on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2026 will then be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 10, which will kick off the social media fan voting window to help determine the semifinalists.

Semifinalists will be named on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the three finalists will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 24. The winner of the 2026 Davey O'Brien Award will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Friday, Dec. 11. The formal presentation will take place during the 50th Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner on Monday, March 8, 2027, at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.