FORT WORTH, Texas — Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper is one of 31 quarterbacks named to the preseason list of Davey O'Brien Award candidates. The award is given each year to the top quarterback in college football.

Harper set 22 Clemson passing records last year when he threw for 2991 yards and 27 touchdowns. His touchdown pass total broke the previous mark by six. Harper led the ACC in passing efficiency last year, the first Clemson quarterback to do that since Mike Eppley in 1983.

This is the second quarterback award Harper has been nominated for. He was also named a preseason candidate for the Johnny Unitas Award, which goes to the top senior quarterback in college football.

Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of the National Selection Committee and approved by the Davey O'Brien Executive Committee. Semifinalists will be announced October 27; finalists November 24. This prestigious award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate all candidates on their quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

The 2008 winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN December 11. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

2008 O'Brien Watch List:


Todd Boeckman - SR, Ohio State


Sam Bradford - SO, Oklahoma


Tom Brandstater - SR, Fresno State


Hunter Cantwell - SR, Louisville


Rudy Carpenter - SR, Arizona State


Jimmy Clausen - SO, Notre Dame


Chase Clement - SR, Rice


Chase Daniel - SR, Missouri


Sean Glennon - SR, Virginia Tech


Matt Grothe - JR, South Florida


Max Hall - JR, BYU


Cullen Harper - SR, Clemson


Graham Harrell - SR, Texas Tech


Chase Holbrook - SR, New Mexico State


Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada - SR, Navy


Dan LeFevour - JR, Central Michigan


Jake Locker - JR, Washington


Colt McCoy - JR, Texas


Curtis Painter - SR, Purdue


Todd Reesing - JR, Kansas


Mark Sanchez - JR, USC

Riley Skinner - JR, Wake Forest


Rusty Smith - JR, Florida Atlantic


Matthew Stafford - JR, Georgia


Tim Tebow - JR, Florida


Mike Teel - SR, Rutgers


Willie Tuitama - SR, Arizona


Drew Weatherford - SR, Florida State


Pat White - SR, West Virginia


Juice Williams - JR, Illinois


John Parker Wilson - SR, Alabama

About The Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award:

The O'Brien honors the nation's best college quarterback of the year and inspires student-athletes to triumph both on and off the field. By recognizing and honoring athletes who excel in both sports and academics while exhibiting strong character and leadership, The O'Brien aims to help instill a lifelong moral fiber in each candidate. The O'Brien is overseen by the Davey O'Brien Foundation, which was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The Foundation had given away over $750,000 in scholarships and university grants to help high school and college athletes transform leadership on the field into leadership in life. For more information, visit www.DaveyOBrien.org.