FORTH WORTH, Texas -  The Davey O'Brien Foundation announced on Tuesday that Western Michigan football redshirt sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby is one of 35 quarterbacks to be named to the 2020 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Class of 2020.

Eleby is one of 35 quarterbacks to be named to the Class of 2020 and one of two from the Mid-American Conference, joining Kent State's Dustin Crum. With this honor, Eleby is now eligible to be voted an award semifinalist. The 16 semifinalist will be announced Monday, Dec. 7 following voting from the National Selection Committee and Fan Vote.

This season Eleby is completing 62.9 percent of his passes for 1,138 yards and 12 touchdowns. Eleby ranks second in the MAC in both yards and touchdowns while leading the conference and nation in passing efficiency at 212.6.

Eleby also leads the NCAA in yards per completion (20.32) and yards per pass attempt (12.79). The Maryland Heights, Mo., native has completed over 50 percent of his passes in each game this season while also throwing for over 200 yards in each contest. Against Central Michigan on Nov. 18, Eleby threw for a career-high 382 yards and five touchdown passes.

Following the naming of the semifinalists, the next round of fan voting will take place from Monday, Dec. 7 to Sunday, Dec. 20 with the three finalists named on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
The final round of fan voting will occur from Tuesday, Dec. 22 until Wednesday, Dec. 30. The winner will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 7 on the 30th annual The Home Depot College Football Awards, which will be held virtually from 7-8:30 p.m. (ET) on ESPN. 
 
The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981. Over its time, the Davey O'Brien Foundation has given away more than $1.2 million in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life.