Taylor Kelly Wins Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award

Senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, who lead the Arizona State Sun Devils to a 9-3 season, is the winner of the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Kelly missed three games during the season, but still finished with 1,874 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes.

On the academic side, Kelly graduated in May 2014 with a BA degree in Educational Studies. He currently is going for his Master’s degree in Legal Studies and currently holds a 3.31 grade-point average.

Kelly joins Mike Nixon as the only Arizona State football players to win the award. Not only did Kelly come away with the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, but he was also named to the First-Team All-Academic Team for the Pac-12.

Nov 8, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Taylor Kelly (10) throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sun Devil Stadium. Arizona State defeated Notre Dame 55-31. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Kelly holds school records in average total offense per game (262.1 yards), points responsible for (540), and total touchdowns (90). He is second in ASU history in rushing yards by a quarterback (1,380) and he is third in school history in total offense (9,959 yards), touchdown passes (77), and passing completions (688).

According to the Pac-12 eligibility for the rule is as follows:

“In order to be eligible for the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must be a senior (in athletics eligibility) on track to receive a degree, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least 50% of the scheduled contests in the sport and have a minimum of one year in residence at the institution. Each Pac-12 institution may nominate one individual per sport, and the winners are selected by a committee of Pac-12 staff members at the conclusion of each sport’s regular season. The athletic accomplishments of the nominees are a consideration in the voting for the award.” (http://pac-12.com/article/2014/12/01/pac-12-announces-volleyball-and-soccer-scholar-athletes-year)

The Pac-12 will award one senior the Pac-12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year award in each of their 22 sponsored sports.