Bradford picks up OBrien trophy

With the "important" award still 48 hours away, Oklahoma's Sam Bradford got a chance Thursday night to practice accepting a bronze trophy as the Sooner quarterback took home the 2008 Davey O'Brien Award as the nation's most outstanding quarterback.

Bradford becomes the second Oklahoma quarterback to win the award after Jason White took home the trophy in both 2003 and 2004.

"It really is a big honor, especially knowing Jason White won it," Bradford told the Oklahoman afterward, "Following in his footsteps to win this award feels great."

After accepting the trophy as the first award at ESPN's College Football Awards Show in Orlando, Fla. Bradford didn't know it but his night was over early.

The sophomore was up for two other awards Thursday night including, The Maxwell Award (Best All Around Player), won by Florida's Tim Tebow and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award which was taken home by Texas' Colt McCoy.

Two other Sooners were recognized at the awards banquet last night. Offensive Coordinator Kevin Wilson was acknowledged as the 2008 Broyles Award Winner, given to the nation's top assistant coach, and senior offensive lineman Duke Robinson was named to the Walter Camp All America first team.

Both Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham were later named to Walter Camp All America second team.

Now Bradford will wait in anticipation to follow in White's footsteps once again come Saturday night in New York when the 2008 Heisman Trophy is handed out.

According to stiffarmtrophy.com, a website that has accurately predicted the last six Heisman winners, Bradford currently holds a 25 point lead over McCoy and a 27 point lead over Tebow.

That being said, the website has only received 195 votes out of the allotted 870, and the site has stated that the race is still too close to call.

Asked what he thought about his chances for Saturday night, Bradford smiled and said, "I have no idea about that. Similar to being invited here, it's just an honor to be invited to New York, especially with Colt and Tim. They're great players. This whole trip has been fun, especially getting to meet those guys."