Lincoln – Husker quarterback Taylor Martinez continued Nebraska’s string of players on watch lists this month, as the senior was named to the 2013 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award® Watch List on Wednesday. This marks the third straight year that Martinez, an O’Brien Award semifinalist in 2010, has been on the preseason watch list for the award, which honor’s the nation’s top quarterback.
The 6-1, 210-pound Martinez has already shattered several Nebraska records in his first three seasons as Nebraska’s starting quarterback. Martinez has established NU records for career and season total offense, career passing yards and ranks second among quarterbacks in career rushing yards. Martinez’s 39 career starts are the second-most of any returning player in the country, and his 2,858 career rushing yards are the most among active FBS players.
He was a first-team All-Big Ten pick by the Big Ten Coaches in 2012, after throwing for 2,871 yards and 23 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,019 yards and 10 scores. He led the Big Ten in total offense per game (277.9 ypg) and passing efficiency (141.59) while guiding a Husker attack that led the Big Ten in total offense. He had three games with at least 200 yards passing while posting five 100-yard rushing games, including a 205-yard performance at Michigan State.
Martinez is one of three Big Ten quarterbacks on the initial watch list, joining Braxton Miller of Ohio State and Devin Gardner of Michigan.
The list will be narrowed to 16 semifinalists on Monday, Nov. 4. The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 25. The 2013 Davey O’Brien Winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards onThursday, Dec. 12. The 37th Annual Davey O’Brien Awards Dinner will be held Feb. 17, 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.
2013 Davey O’Brien Watch List
David Ash, Texas, Big 12
Blake, Bortles, UCF, AAC
Tajh Boyd, Clemson, ACC
Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, AAC
Terrance Broadway, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sun Belt
Kolton Browning, ULM, Sun Belt
Derek Carr, Fresno State, MWC
Rakeem Cato, Marshall, C-USA
Cody Fajardo, Nevada, MWC
David Fales, San Jose State, MWC
James Franklin, Missouri, SEC
Devin Gardner, Michigan, Big Ten
Kevin Hogan, Stanford, Pac-12
Brett Hundley, UCLA, Pac-12
Chuckie Keeton, Utah State, MWC
Taylor Kelly, Arizona State, Pac-12
Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois, MAC
Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, SEC
Marcus Mariota, Oregon, Pac-12
Taylor Martinez, Nebraska, Big Ten
AJ McCarron, Alabama, SEC
Braxton Miller, Ohio State, Big Ten
Stephen Morris, Miami (FL), ACC
Aaron Murray, Georgia, SEC
Casey Pachall, TCU, Big 12
Keith Price, Washington, Pac-12
Bryn Renner, North Carolina, ACC
Keenan Reynolds, Navy, Independent
Tyler Russell, Mississippi State, SEC
Connor Shaw, South Carolina, SEC
Tyler Tettleton, Ohio, MAC
Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech, ACC
Bo Wallace, Ole Miss, SEC
Keith Wenning, Ball State, MAC