Five B1G quarterbacks on O'Brien list

[Havoc]

Quarterback isn't the Big Ten's strongest position entering the 2012 season, but the league boasts several familiar faces who could take a significant step in their development this fall. Five Big Ten signal-callers appear on the preseason watch list for the Davey O'Brien award, given to the nation's top quarterback.

Here's the Big Ten contingent:

Taylor Martinez, Nebraska, junior
Braxton Miller, Ohio State, sophomore
Denard Robinson, Michigan, senior
Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, junior
James Vandenberg, Iowa, senior

All five players are returning starters from 2011, and three -- Robinson, Martinez and Scheelhaase -- are entering their third seasons as starters. Robinson is one of seven O'Brien award semifinalists from 2011 who appear on the watch list. He certainly looks like the Big Ten's top quarterback candidate for national honors this year.

Judging by all the watch lists, there are high hopes for Miller in Year 1 under Urban Meyer, whose spread offense seems to be a good fit for the Buckeyes' dual-threat sophomore.

Any snubs here? While I'd expect strides from players like Minnesota's MarQueis Gray and Northwestern's Kain Colter, neither is a shoo-in for watch list inclusion. Wisconsin's Danny O'Brien, the Maryland transfer, also could work his way into contention but needs to bounce back from a lousy 2011.

The field is narrowed to 16 semifinalists Oct. 22 and three finalists Nov. 19. The winner will be announced Nov. 6 during the Home Depot College Football Awards in Florida. Ohio State's Troy Smith (2006) is the last Big Ten recipient of the O'Brien award.

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[Rory Sparrow]

Of those 5 QBs, only Vandenberg can actually throw a football, and even that is questionable. Robinson is the only guy deserving to be on the list, IMO.

[nwfisch]

Of those 5 QBs, only Vandenberg can actually throw a football, and even that is questionable. Robinson is the only guy deserving to be on the list, IMO.

I can attest to Vandenberg.

[HighJump31]

Of those 5 QBs, only Vandenberg can actually throw a football, and even that is questionable. Robinson is the only guy deserving to be on the list, IMO.

Pretty sure I could throw a prettier ball than Taylor Martinez.

I don't see any of those guys being in the final three come November 19th.

[DePaulfan21]

Reilly O'Toole should be the Illinis starter

[Havoc]

Reilly O'Toole should be the Illinis starter

Agreed. It's going to be more of the same when Bolingbrook's Aaron Bailey takes the reigns - a great running QB that can't throw.

[IvyPickin87]

Vandenberg can huck, but he will not be there at the end of the season. No B1G quarterback is gonna win sorry, going to SEC/B12.

[DePaulfan21]

Agreed. It's going to be more of the same when Bolingbrook's Aaron Bailey takes the reigns - a great running QB that can't throw.

Not only do I think Reilly is our best option, I know him through people