Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles Named Among Nation's Top 30 Quarterbacks

Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles has earned another major national recognition after being named to the Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2026. The senior quarterback is one of 30 players across the country officially in contention for the award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback.

The recognition adds to what has been an impressive season for Chiles, who has helped Northwestern establish itself as a competitive Big Ten team. Despite missing the Wildcats’ most recent game against Iowa with an upper-body injury, Chiles has put together one of the more productive seasons by a Northwestern quarterback in recent years.

Through eight games, Chiles has completed 139 of 203 passes for 1,904 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception. He has also been a major contributor in the running game, recording 325 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs has been an important part of Northwestern’s offensive success.

One of Chiles’ biggest performances came against Colorado, when he completed 17 of 22 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns in Northwestern’s 41-7 victory. His performance earned him Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors and a spot on the Davey O’Brien Great 8 list.

Chiles has continued to show his ability throughout the season, including a 278-yard, three-touchdown passing performance against Ball State and a 219-yard, three-touchdown performance against Rutgers. 

He also delivered one of his most productive performances on the ground against Oregon, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 281 yards in the Wildcats’ 34-26 loss.

The Davey O’Brien Award has a long history in college football, dating back to 1977. It is named after former quarterback Davey O’Brien and recognizes the nation’s top quarterback. Some of the previous winners include Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward.

Last year’s winner was Fernando Mendoza, who became the first player in program history to receive the award. Mendoza finished the 2025 season with 2,980 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns and six interceptions, helping lead Indiana to an undefeated regular season and a College Football Playoff appearance.

For Chiles, earning a place among the 30 candidates is an important accomplishment, particularly while representing Northwestern on a national stage. The Wildcats have had their share of challenges this season, but Chiles’ production has given the program a quarterback capable of making plays against quality competition.

The selection is not the final step in the award process. The Davey O’Brien Foundation will narrow the group of 30 candidates to its semifinalists on Nov. 17 before announcing three finalists on Nov. 24. The winner will be revealed on Dec. 11 during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards.

Fans also have an opportunity to support Chiles during the voting process. For the sixth consecutive year, fan engagement on the award’s official social media platforms will provide bonus votes for the selection committee. The first round of voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 15.

While there is still a long way to go before the winner is announced, Chiles’ inclusion among the nation’s top 30 quarterbacks is another significant achievement for Northwestern. With the senior continuing to work toward a return from injury, the Wildcats will hope to have their starting quarterback back as they finish the regular season.