O'Brien watch list announced
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour and Western Michigan's Tim Hiller were two of 33 QBs named to the watch list for the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award (The O'Brien) Watch List.
According to a press release from the organization, the 2009 list highlights 33 quarterbacks who will compete for the award honoring the nation's best quarterback; however, all 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) starting quarterbacks are equal candidates at this time. Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of The O'Brien Selection Committee. The list focuses on a select group of quarterbacks who have demonstrated what members of the Selection Committee have recognized as tremendous preseason talent. The award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field. The release continues to state that the O'Brien will follow performances of all FBS quarterbacks until semifinalists are selected in late October. Semifinalists will be announced October 26; Finalists November 23; and the Winner December 10.
During all rounds of voting, The O'Brien Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship. Here are the players on the list:
Sam Bradford Oklahoma JR Big 12
Jarrett Brown West Virginia SR Big East
Daryll Clark Penn State SR Big Ten
Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame JR IND
Aaron Corp USC SO Pac-10
Robert Griffin Baylor SO Big 12
Matt Grothe South Florida SR Big East
Max Hall BYU SR MWC
Tim Hiller Western Michigan SR MAC
Jordan Jefferson LSU SO SEC
Colin Kaepernick Nevada JR WAC
Case Keenum Houston JR C-USA
Dan LeFevour Central Michigan SR MAC
Jake Locker Washington JR Pac-10
Ryan Mallett Arkansas SO SEC
Jeremiah Masoli Oregon JR Pac-10
Colt McCoy Texas SR Big 12
Kellen Moore Boise State SO WAC
Josh Nesbitt Georgia Tech JR ACC
Tony Pike Cincinnati SR Big East
Taylor Potts Texas Tech JR Big 12
Terrelle Pryor Ohio State SO Big Ten
Todd Reesing Kansas SR Big 12
Kevin Riley California JR Pac-10
Zac Robinson Oklahoma State SR Big 12
Riley Skinner Wake Forest SR ACC
Rusty Smith Florida Atlantic SR Sun Belt
Jevan Snead Ole Miss JR SEC
Tyrod Taylor Virginia Tech JR ACC
Tim Tebow Florida SR SEC
Adam Weber Minnesota JR Big Ten
Juice Williams Illinois SR Big Ten
Russell Wilson North Carolina State SO ACC
---Rodney McKissic
