RICHMOND, Va. – Old Dominion University quarterback Taylor Heinicke was named one of three finalists for the Dudley Award, given to the best Division I Player in the state of Virginia, the Richmond Times Dispatch announced on Monday.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Heinicke is now a three-time finalist for the award, winning in 2012 while he was named the runner-up in 2013.
Virginia Tech defensive back Kendall Fuller and James Madison quarterback Vad Lee are the other finalists.
In ODU’s first season in Conference USA and FBS, Heinicke led the Monarchs to a 6-6 campaign and 4-4 record in C-USA. He finished the year 289-of-457 for 3,476 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also added 139 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. He is the first Division I quarterback in Virginia to have three-straight seasons of 3,000 yards passing and 30 touchdowns.
He passed for more than 300 yards five times, including a pair of 400 yard games against Rice and Western Kentucky, a pair of teams playing in a bowl game. Heinicke was 27-for-43 for 430 yards and a season-best five touchdown passes and one rushing in the win at Rice, while going 27-for-40 for 471 yards and three touchdowns at WKU.
Heinicke helped the Monarchs to four wins in the fourth quarter where they were trailing or tied, giving him 10 for his career, the most among active FBS quarterbacks.
He was already named the Touchdown Club of Richmond Offensive Back of the Year. The Dudley Award will be handed out at the organizations annual banquet Wednesday night.