Davey O'Brien Award Watch List 2016: Full List and Bleacher Report Favorites
The season of watch lists continued Thursday when the Davey O'Brien Foundation released its 30-man group of quarterbacks in early contention for the Davey O'Brien Award.
Clemson star Deshaun Watson—the 2015 winner—highlights the list, which features 14 seniors, 10 juniors and six sophomores (Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer is a redshirt sophomore).
While the watch list includes most of the nation's top quarterbacks, unnamed options could earn one of 16 semifinalist slots when that group is announced midway through the season.
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The 2016 Davey O'Brien Award winner will be revealed during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN on Dec. 8.
| Taylor Lamb | Appalachian State | Junior |
| Anu Solomon | Arizona | Junior |
| Seth Russell | Baylor | Senior |
| Brett Rypien | Boise State | Sophomore |
| Tanner Mangum | BYU | Sophomore |
| Cooper Rush | Central Michigan | Senior |
| Deshaun Watson | Clemson | Junior |
| Greg Ward Jr. | Houston | Senior |
| Wes Lunt | Illinois | Senior |
| C.J. Beathard | Iowa | Senior |
| Brad Kaaya | Miami | Junior |
| Brent Stockstill | Middle Tennessee | Sophomore |
| Mitch Leidner | Minnesota | Senior |
| Tommy Armstrong Jr. | Nebraska | Senior |
| DeShone Kizer | Notre Dame | Sophomore |
| J.T. Barrett | Ohio State | Junior |
| Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma | Junior |
| Mason Rudolph | Oklahoma State | Junior |
| Chad Kelly | Ole Miss | Senior |
| Quinton Flowers | South Florida | Junior |
| Nick Mullens | Southern Miss | Senior |
| Patrick Mahomes II | Texas Tech | Junior |
| Joshua Dobbs | Tennessee | Senior |
| Phillip Walker | Temple | Senior |
| Dane Evans | Tulsa | Senior |
| Josh Rosen | UCLA | Sophomore |
| Jake Browning | Washington | Sophomore |
| Luke Falk | Washington State | Junior |
| Skyler Howard | West Virginia | Senior |
| Zach Terrell | Western Michigan | Senior |
Award Trends
Repeat Winners: Since the Davey O'Brien Award's inception in 1981, three quarterbacks have hoisted the trophy twice. Watson will attempt to join Ty Detmer (BYU; 1990, 1991), Danny Wuerffel (Florida; 1995, 1996) and Jason White (Oklahoma; 2003, 2004).
Dual-Threat Popularity: A few previous winners contributed with their legs, but five of the last six winners—Watson, Marcus Mariota, Johnny Manziel, Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton—were true dual-threat quarterbacks. Jameis Winston was the only pocket passer.
NFL Draft Success: Mariota, Winston, Manziel, Griffin and Newton were each first-round selections in the NFL draft. Including Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Vince Young, eight of the last 10 Davey O'Brien winners heard their names called in the top 32 picks.
The Favorites
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
In 2015, Watson posted a 67.8 completion percentage with 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns. The 6'2", 210-pounder also scampered for 1,105 yards and 12 scores, becoming the first player in college football history to eclipse 4,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing.
What can he possibly do for an encore?
"Being able to improve on what we did this year with a lot more veterans, we have a chance to be one of the best offenses ever in college football," Watson said, per Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee. "That's our motivation. To be the best ever."
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Lincoln Riley and Baker Mayfield are a perfect coordinator-quarterback pairing. Last year, they helped Oklahoma reach the College Football Playoff. Mayfield amassed 3,700 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air, adding 405 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Repeating that success without standout receiver Sterling Shepard will be difficult, but Riley's system suits Mayfield's need for high-percentage throws while encouraging his playmaking skills.
Luke Falk, Washington State
Barring injury, we know Luke Falk won't lack opportunities.
In 2015, his 4,561 yards ranked No. 5 in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Falk paced the country with 53.7 pass attempts per game, tossing 38 touchdowns and just eight interceptions in Mike Leach's Air Raid attack.
The crazy part? Washington State's receiving corps may demand more targets this season. Gabe Marks, River Cracraft, Robert Lewis and Ky Priester compose a lethal bunch on the outside.
Seth Russell, Baylor
The 2015 Heisman Trophy race would have had a fourth finalist if a neck injury didn't end Seth Russell's season. In just seven games, he picked apart defenses for 2,506 total yards and 35 touchdowns.
Russell—who announced he's healthy and cleared for 2016—will attempt to lead a Baylor offense that's certain to lean on KD Cannon as Corey Coleman's replacement.
Greg Ward Jr., Houston
Following a 13-1 campaign, Greg Ward Jr. and Houston have earned plenty of deserved national attention. The converted wide receiver obliterated opponents for 3,936 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns—including 21 on the ground.
If Ward can stay healthy, head coach Tom Herman has a system in place to showcase Ward and overwhelm American Athletic Conference competition. Ward was a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award in 2015, so he's already squarely on the radar.
The Dark Horses
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State: Defense is an important question, but points won't be a problem in Stillwater. Mason Rudolph threw for 3,770 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. Since red-zone specialist J.W. Walsh accounted for 26 scores, Rudolph is poised for a major increase.
Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech: So long as the Red Raiders can replace Jakeem Grant, Patrick Mahomes II will put together a massive season. In 2015, he registered 5,109 yards of total offense and 46 touchdowns while attempting the second-most passes.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss: Surviving September will be key to Chad Kelly's candidacy. Ole Miss takes on Florida State, Alabama and Georgia. But if the Rebels escape the gauntlet, Kelly—who racked up 4,542 yards and 41 scores last season—will have an excellent resume.
Brett Rypien, Boise State: It only took Brett Rypien three games to secure the starting job as a true freshman. He notched 3,350 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air. Complemented by Thomas Sperbeck and Jeremy McNichols, Rypien is seemingly destined for a breakout season.
Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
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