Spencer Rattler, Brock Purdy On Davey O’Brien Watch List
Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler and Iowa State’s Brock Purdy were two of four Big 12 quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list on Tuesday.
The watch list revealed the 30 quarterbacks the Fort Worth, Texas-based award is tracking for the 2021 season. The winner will be announced in December. The O’Brien is given to the country’s top quarterback. It is named for the former TCU quarterback.
Rattler led the Sooners to the Big 12 Championship last year, despite losing back-to-back games early in the season to Kansas State and Iowa State. After winning the Big 12 title, the Sooners went on to drum Florida in the Cotton Bowl. In many preseason polls, the Sooners are considered a Top 5 team this year. Rattler was an O’Brien semifinalist last season.
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Purdy led the Cyclones to one of their best seasons in history, winning nine games and ending up at the top of the Big 12 standings in the regular season. Despite losing to OU in the Big 12 title game, the Cyclones went on to defeat Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl. In most preseason polls the Cyclones are in the Top 10. Purdy is a two-time O’Brien Award semifinalist.
The other two Big 12 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list are TCU’s Max Duggan and Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
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2021 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List
(Big 12 Players in Bold)
Connor Bazelak, Missouri, So., 6-3, 212, Dayton, Ohio
Charlie Brewer, Utah, Sr., 6-1, 210, Austin, Texas
Matt Corral, Ole Miss, Jr., 6-1, 205, Ventura, Calif.
Malik Cunningham, Louisville, Jr., 6-1, 200, Montgomery, Ala.
Dustin Crum, Kent State, Sr., 6-3, 207, Grafton, Ohio
Jayden Daniels, Arizona State, So., 6-3, 185, San Bernardino, Calif.
JT Daniels, Georgia, Jr., 6-3, 210, Irvine, Calif.
Max Duggan, TCU, Jr., 6-2, 201, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Dillon Gabriel, UCF, Jr., 6-0, 200, Mililani, Hawaii
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 200, Schertz, Texas
Sam Howell, North Carolina, Jr., 6-1, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.
Phil Jurkovec, Boston College, Jr., 6-5, 226, Pittsburgh, Penn.
D’Eriq King, Miami, Sr., 5-11, 195, Manvel, Texas
Levi Lewis, Louisiana, Sr., 5-10, 184, Baton Rouge, La.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, So., 6-3, 210, Indian Trail, N.C.
Graham Mertz, Wisconsin, So., 6-3, 225, Overland Park, Kan.
McKenzie Milton, Florida State, Sr., 5-11, 192, Kapolei, Hawaii
Tanner Morgan, Minnesota, Sr., 6-2, 215, Union, Ky.
Michael Penix Jr., Indiana, Jr., 6-3, 218, Tampa, Fla.
Brock Purdy, Iowa State, Sr., 6-1, 220, Gilbert, Ariz.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma, So., 6-1, 200, Phoenix, Ariz.
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati, Sr., 6-4, 215, Louisville, Ky.
Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State, Jr., 6-1, 205, Denton, Texas
Kedon Slovis, USC, Jr., 6-3, 215, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Nick Starkel, San Jose State, Sr., 6-3, 214, Argyle, Texas
Carson Strong, Nevada, Jr., 6-4, 215, Vacaville, Calif.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA, Sr., 6-1, 200, Las Vegas, Nev.
D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson, So, 6-4, 250, Inland Empire, Calif.
Grant Wells, Marshall, R-Fr., 6-2, 210, Charleston, W.Va.
Malik Willis, Liberty, Jr., 6-1, 215, Atlanta, Ga.
