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Davey O’Brien Award watch list 2017: 5 favorites to win

By John Buhler

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Sam Darnold No. 14 of the USC Trojans looks to pass the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The 2017 Davey O’Brien Award watch list was released on Wednesday morning. Here are five quarterbacks that can win the prestigious college football award.

On Wednesday morning, the 2017 Davey O’Brien Award watch list was released. When the award was created back in 1977 after the death of the former TCU Horned Frogs’ 1938 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, it initially went to the best player in the old Southwest Conference.

However, the award quickly pivoted to being more of a national award to recognize the best quarterback in all of college football. Last year saw Clemson Tigers signal caller Deshaun Watson be the fourth quarterback to win this award twice.

Since 1981, the Davey O’Brien Award has been associated with quarterbacking excellence. Whether a guy is a pure pocket passer or a dual-threat playmaker, this is an award that every college quarterback hopes to win. Heading into the upcoming season, here is a look at five college quarterbacks that can definitely win the award in 2017.

ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 31: Jake Browning /
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Jake Browning

Quarterback, Washington Huskies

In two years in the Pac-12, Washington Huskies junior quarterback Jake Browning has emerged as one of the better passers in the Power 5. His Huskies arrived a year early under head coach Chris Petersen to win the Pac-12 and reach the College Football Playoff. Browning’s ability to thrive in Petersen’s passing game was a big reason for Washington’s overall success in 2016.

Though the Huskies may only be favored to win the Pac-12 North Division this year, Browning has the poise, accuracy and enough arm talent to put together a monster season for Washington football. In 2016, Browning completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 3,430 yards, 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has already thrown for 6,385 yards and 59 touchdowns in his two years  at Washington.

While Browning does lose premier vertical threat John Ross to the NFL, he still has another explosive playmaker in the receiving game in senior Dante Pettis. Pettis is on the Fred Biletnikoff Award watch list as one of the best receivers in college football. Experience in navigating a tough Pac-12 schedule and being an accurate passer will help Browning.

Though it could help him boost his passing numbers, Browning is not exactly a dual-threat scrambler at the position. He can put the ball in the end zone with his legs in goal-line situations, but mobility is not his bread and butter. To win this award, Browning will need to complete nearly 65 percent of his passes and eclipse 4,000 yards through the air. That will be really tough because Washington isn’t sneaking up on anybody this year.

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