Big Ten places five on Davey O'Brien watch list

In addition to conference media days, watch list season is yet another indication that college football is right around the corner. On Thursday, the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, which honors the nation's top quarterback, was released. The Big Ten placed five quarterbacks on the list.

Ohio State junior J.T. Barrett, a semifinalist for the award as a freshman, headlines the list of Big Ten contenders. Barrett helped the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record in 2014, but sustained a season-ending ankle injury in the regular-season finale against Michigan. The Buckeyes would go on to win the inaugural College Football Playoff without him. Last season, Barrett shared the position with Cardale Jones, throwing for 992 yards, 11 TDs and just four interceptions. In 2016, the quarterback position will belong solely to Barrett.

Iowa senior C.J. Beathard makes the O'Brien watch list after he guided the Hawkeyes to a 12-2 record last season. Among returning Big Ten quarterbacks, Beathard recorded the league's highest passer efficiency rating last season (139.5). Nebraska senior Tommy Armstrong Jr., who led returning Big Ten quarterbacks with 3,030 passing yards in 2015, is joined on the watch list by Minnesota senior Mitch Leidner (2,701 passing yards in 2015) and Illinois senior Wes Lunt (2,761 passing yards in 2015).

Sixteen semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award will be named on Nov. 10. From that list, three finalists will be selected on Nov. 22. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8 on ESPN.