Aggie quarterback Chase Holbrook is currently third in fan votes for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award which honors the nation's best collegiate quarterback.
Members of the community have been actively campaigning to get people to vote for Holbrook, who currently stands behind Colt McCoy from Texas and Chase Daniel from Missouri.
Aaron Villalobos graduated from NMSU in 2006 and has petitioned people to vote for Holbrook on a Web site that is dedicated to sharing information about New Mexico State University Athletics.
"I think he deserves it,"
Villalobos said. "Looking at what he's done for the New Mexico State community, you have to respect someone who plays at the level, and through his actions, has ignited a sense of hope for Aggie football."
Last season marked the first time in the award's history that fans had a say in the voting.
The top three fan vote recipients are added to the semifinalist list and during the finalist and winner rounds of voting the fan vote counts as 5 percent.
The final decision is made by an extensive panel of judges, which includes newspaper columnists, coaches and former recipients of the award. People such as Troy Aikman, 1988 Davey O'Brien winner and ESPN football analyst Dan Fouts, will ultimately decide who wins the award, and will be judging the nominees on overall quarterback skills, athletic ability, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.
Even though fan votes only count for 5 percent of the final decision, Las Cruces residents such as Villalobos are active in trying to get people to vote anyway they can.
"It's all about grass-roots campaigning,"
Villalobos said. "I talk to family and friends about it a good amount, and on the various social sites, I like to post reminders every so often, or send out messages to friends or groups reminding people to keep up with their voting."
For Holbrook, being compared to such players as McCoy and Daniel is not something with which he concerns himself.
"I know a lot of those guys [2008 O'Brien Award nominees] from back home in the Dallas area, but it's at the back of my mind,"
Holbrook said.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation recognizes quarterbacks who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership both on and off the field.
With players such as Texas' McCoy and last year's award winner, Florida's Tim Tebow in the mix, Holbrook is a long shot to win the award but fans don't seem to mind.
"Chase finishing in the top three of the O' Brien fan voting would result in his advancement in to the next round, and would not ensure him winning the award,"
Villalobos said. "However, this award in particular, heavily considers fan input in the process."
Holbrook said he has not thought about the award and his focus is on winning football games rather than winning awards.
In regards to the fan support he has been receiving Holbrook said, "It's great, I love the fan support I get… hopefully it will transfer over into helping us win."
The winner of the award receives a bronze of the original O'Brien Trophy and his name is engraved on the base of the original. He also receives a Rolex watch and a custom-made suit. In addition, the award also carries with it a $10,000 grant to the scholarship program of the university in which the winner is enrolled.
Fan votes are still being cast at www.obrienaward.com.
"When our programs do well, or individuals excel in a manner that garners them positive national attention, it gives me, and all other Aggies, one more thing to be proud about,"
Villalobos said.
