UCF's Gabriel, Grand and Williams named finalists for National Awards

ORLANDO - Several national college football awards announced semifinalists on Monday, and UCF's Dillon Gabriel, Richie Grant and Marlon Williams were among the honorees.

Sophomore quarterback Dillon Gabriel was named one of 17 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award and one of 18 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year.

Senior safety Richie Grant was named one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award and one of 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

Senior receiver Marlon Williams was one of 11 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, which annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver regardless of position.

In nine games of 2020, Gabriel threw for 3,353 yards and 30 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He was 61.7 percent on his throws and had an efficiency of 162.95. He leads the nation with 372.6 passing yards per game and 387.9 yards of total offense per game.

Grant led the Knights with 72 total tackles, 49 unassisted and 3.5 for a loss. He had three interceptions, his first-career sack, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Grant is currently 26th in the nation in solo tackles, 19th in interceptions and seventh in fumble recoveries.

Williams played only eight games on the year, catching 71 passes for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged 129.9 yards per game and had an average of 14.6 yards per catch. Williams is ranked third in the nation in receiving yards, fifth in receptions and fifth in receiving touchdowns.

Finalists for all five awards will be announced later this month.