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BYU quarterback Riley Nelson was Wednesday honored as one of 34 signal-callers selected to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the nation's best quarterback.
Starting only seven games last season, Nelson threw for 1,717 yards on the year, tossing 19 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 152.9 was 16th-best nationally.
Nelson ended last season in third place on BYU's alltime quarterback rushing list (662 rush yards), after running for 392 yards in 2011. A similar performance in 2012 would give him a shot at passing Steve Young (1,084 yards) for second place on the Cougars' alltime QB run chart, with an outside chance at surpassing leader Virgil Carter (1,225 yards).
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BYU quarterbacks have won the Davey O'Brien Award on four occasions in the past, while two other Cougar QBs finished in the top three in voting. BYU's four Davey O'Brien Award wins are more than any other school.
BYU Quarterbacks and the Davey O'Brien Award
| Year | Player | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Jim McMahon | <b>1st</b> |
| 1983 | Steve Young | <b>1st</b> |
| 1984 | Robbie Bosco | 2nd |
| 1990 | Ty Detmer | <b>1st</b> |
| 1991 | Ty Detmer | <b>1st</b> |
| 1996 | Steve Sarkisian | 3rd |
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Nelson is now on a pair of preseason watch lists, having previously been named to the Maxwell Award roster. BYU teammates Braden Hansen and Kyle Van Noy are also on two preseason award lists.
Here's the updated BYU watch list breakdown:
BYU Football Players on Preseason Award Watch Lists
| Player | Award | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Braden Hansen | Outland Trophy | Most Outstanding Interior Lineman |
| Braden Hansen | Lombardi Award | College OL, DL or LB of the Year |
| Cody Hoffman | Biletnikoff Award | Most Outstanding Receiver |
| Uona Kaveinga | Butkus Award | Nation's Best Linebacker |
| Riley Nelson | Davey O'Brien Award | Nation's Best Quarterback |
| Riley Nelson | Maxwell Award | College Player of the Year |
| Brandon Ogletree | Lott IMPACT Trophy* | Defensive Player of the Year |
| Riley Stephenson | Ray Guy Award | Nation's Best Punter |
| Kyle Van Noy | Bronco Nagurski Trophy | Most Outstanding Defensive Player |
| Kyle Van Noy | Lombardi Award | College OL, DL or LB of the Year |
*Note: Lott IMPACT Trophy is not part of the National College Football Awards Association coalition, founded in 1997 "to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of college football's various awards."
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The final two national award watch lists will be released in the next two days--
Thursday: Doak Walker Award (nation's premier running back)
Friday: Walter Camp Award (nation's most outstanding player)
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in addition, BYU RB Michael Alisa was Tuesday named as a nominee for the All-State AFCA Good Works Team.
The Good Works Team honors players for their off-the-field accomplishments, character and leadership. Riley Nelson was a Good Works Team nominee in 2010.
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