Oregon will be well represented at ESPN’s College Football Awards show next month in Orlando, Florida.
On Tuesday, Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota was named a finalist for the Davey O’Brien award — an award given to the best quarterback in college football — while defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu was named one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe award  — an honor given to the best defensive back in college football.
In his redshirt junior year, Mariota has thrown for 3103 yards, 32 touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s also ran for 597 yards and nine touchdowns.
Ekpre-Olomu is third amongst Oregon defensive backs with 54 tackles this season. Ekpre-Olomu also has two interceptions and nine passes defended.
Mariota was joined by Texas Christian quarterback Trevone Boykin and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott.
Boykin, a wide receiver turned quarterback this year, has thrown for 3021 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Horned Frogs. Boykin has also rushed for 548 yards and seven touchdowns.
Prescott has thrown for 2714 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for 891 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Ekpre-Olomu is a finalist for the Thorpe award along with Louisville’s Gerod Holliman and Alabama safety Landon Collins. Holliman leads the country with 13 interceptions while Collins has 75 tackles for the Crimson Tide.
In addition, Mariota was named a finalist for the Maxwell award, which is given to the most outstanding player in college football. Prescott and Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon were also named finalists for the award.
Gordon is averaging 8.3 yards per carry en route to 2109 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns.
The awards will be presented on Dec. 11.
Follow Joseph Hoyt on Twitter @JoeJHoyt