Tebow Named to 2009 Davey O'Brien Watch List
Monday, August 3, 2009 | Football
University of Florida senior quarterback Tim Tebow (Jacksonville, Fla.) has been named to the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® Watch List, announced today by The Davey O'Brien Foundation and its National Selection Committee.
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.
Tebow was the O'Brien Award recipient in 2007 and was named a semifinalist in 2008. He enters the 2009 season holding eight SEC records and 17 school records. Tebow has thrown for 6,390 yards and 67 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions, making his career quarterback rating of 173.84 the highest in SEC history. He has also rushed for 2,037 yards and a school-record 43 touchdowns.
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.
Today marked the first time in the award's history the Watch List was announced on ESPN's College Football Live. The 2009 O'Brien Winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN December 10. The recipient will be honored February 15, 2010 at the 33rd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
2009 O'Brien Watch 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 |
-UF-
