Never has there been more excitement for college football award watch lists. The twin lockout-induced free agency voids in the NFL and NBA has given us even less to talk about during MLB’s slowest (and overall sports’ slowest) week for media. Cuz NO ONE cares about the All-Star game and the ratings numbers reflect that.
Let’s talk gridiron! As the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced the 2011 Watch List today for its trophy honoring the nation’s top QB.
This year’s list, which was compiled by a subset of The O’Brien National Selection Committee, features 38 of the nation’s top collegiate quarterbacks who were selected based on player performance during the previous year and expectations heading into the 2011 college football season.
In addition to last season’s finalists, Andrew Luck (Stanford) and Kellen Moore (Boise State), 2009 O’Brien finalist Case Keenum (Houston) is back in the action. This year’s list also includes seven 2010 semifinalists: Matt Barkley (USC), Kirk Cousins (Michigan State Spartans), Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Taylor Martinez (Nebraska Cornhuskers), Denard Robinson (Michigan Wolverines), and Darron Thomas (Oregon)
For the list of the top running backs go here
Appearing on the Watch List is not a requirement for a player to be awarded The O’Brien. Quarterbacks from all 120 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools are eligible for the award until the field is narrowed to 16 semifinalists on Monday, Oct. 24. The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 21. The 2011 Davey O’Brien winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 8.
2011 Davey O’Brien Watch List
players in bold are from teams we regularly cover on this site
Matt Barkley, USC, Pac-12
Tyler Bray, Tennessee, SEC
Alex Carder, Western Michigan, MAC
Zach Collaros, Cincinnati Bearcats, Big East
Kirk Cousins, Michigan State Spartans, Big Ten
Dayne Crist, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Independent
Austin Davis, Southern Miss, C-USA
Dominique Davis, East Carolina, C-USA
Nick Foles, Arizona, Pac-12
Jeff Godfrey, UCF, C-USA
Robert Griffin III, Baylor, Big 12
Chandler Harnish, Northern Illinois, MAC
Jake Heaps, BYU, Independent
Landry Jones, Oklahoma, Big 12
Case Keenum, Houston, C-USA
G.J. Kinne, Tulsa, C-USA
Ryan Lindley, San Diego State, MWC
Andrew Luck, Stanford, Pac-12
EJ Manuel, Florida State, ACC
Taylor Martinez, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Big Ten
Bryant Moniz, Hawaii, WAC
Kellen Moore, Boise State, MWC
Aaron Murray, Georgia, SEC
Danny O’Brien, Maryland, ACC
Kyle Padron, SMU, C-USA
Dan Persa, Northwestern Wildcats, Big Ten
Chris Relf, Mississippi State, SEC
Sean Renfree, Duke, ACC
Corey Robinson, Troy, Sun Belt
Denard Robinson, Michigan Wolverines, Big Ten
Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois Fighting Illini, Big Ten
Geno Smith, West Virginia, Big East
Tino Sunseri, Pittsburgh, Big East
Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M, Big 12
Darron Thomas, Oregon, Pac-12
Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State, Big 12
Russell Wilson, Wisconsin Badgers, Big Ten
Jordan Wynn, Utah, Pac-12
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports You can follow him on Twitter