For the third time since 2000, a Red Raider quarterback has claimed the Touchdown Club of Columbus trophy recognizing the nation’s top collegiate passer. Texas Tech junior quarterback Graham Harrell (Ennis, Texas) was announced today as the recipient of the Sammy Baugh Trophy. Harrell joins former Red Raiders Kliff Kingsbury and B.J. Symons, who won the award in 2002 and 2003, respectively.
Harrell, who holds the school career record with thirteen 400-yard passing games and has three straight, has a national-leading 5,298 passing yards this season. He is only the sixth player in NCAA history, and third Red Raider, to pass the 5,000-yard mark in a season and joins NCAA single-season record holder and former Tech quarterback B.J. Symons (5,833 in 2003) and Kliff Kingsbury (5,017 in 2002) on the list. He needs 252 yards in the bowl game to pass Hawaii’s Colt Brennan, who sits in second after passing for 5,549 yards last season.
Additionally, Harrell has thrown 46 touchdown passes in 200, which is tied in sixth place on the NCAA season list. He has 10,275 career passing yards and 86 touchdowns and is the 43rd player in NCAA history to eclipse the 10,000-yard mark. Harrell’s career touchdown total is tied 18th all-time with former Miami quarterback Ken Dorsey.
The Sammy Baugh Trophy’s namesake is considered one of the greatest collegiate and professional quarterbacks in history. Past winners of the award include Bob Griese (1966), John Elway (1982), Steve Young (1983), Duante Culpepper (1998) and David Carr (2001).
The Sammy Baugh Trophy will be presented during the Touchdown Club of Columbus’ 53rd Annual Sports Banquet on Sat., Feb. 19, 2008, at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in downtown Columbus, Ohio. For additional information, visit www.touchdownclubofcolumbus.com.