Michigan's Denard Robinson named to watch list for O'Brien Award, given to nation's top QB
Michigan's Denard Robinson continues to be recognized this offseason as one of the nation's top players. This time, he was named to the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award, which is given to the nation's best quarterback.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The Michigan football team's star quarterback has been named a top-five Heisman Trophy candidate by several outlets. He has been called the Big Ten's best quarterback. He's been named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which goes to the nation's most outstanding player.
Now he's landed on another watch list, this one for the Davey O'Brien award, which goes to the country's best quarterback.
Robinson is one of 34 players who made the original list. It will be whittled to 16 semifinalists Oct. 22, then to three finalists Nov. 19. The winner will be announced Dec. 6 at ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards.
A Michigan quarterback has never won the award. Brian Griese was a finalist in 1997, as well as Elvis Grbac in 1991 and '92.
Robinson could have a shot as perhaps the country's most dangerous dual-threat quarterback.
He's already set an NCAA record for rushing yards in a season by a quarterback, and is third in career rushing yards (3,229) among active players. Only Boston College's Montel Harris (3,735 yards) and Wisconsin's Montee Ball (3,310) have more.
His weakness has been his passing, although coaches say they expect to see Robinson make a leap next year now that he's in his third season as a starter, and the second year of coordinator Al Borges' spread-West Coast offense.
Robinson was 142-of-258 passing (55.0 percent) for 2,173 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions last year. He also rushed 221 times for 1,176 yards and 16 more scores.
He was one of Big Ten quarterbacks to be named to the O'Brien list, joining Iowa's James Vandenberg, Nebraska's Taylor Martinez, Ohio State's Braxton Miller and Illinois' Nathan Scheelhaase.
Other Michigan players to appear on watch lists this summer:
- Kenny Demens (Rotary Lombardi Award for best lineman/linebacker)
- Brendan Gibbons (Lou Groza Award for best kicker)
- Jordan Kovacs (Bronko Nagurski Trophy for best defender)
- Taylor Lewan (Rotary Lombardi Award for best lineman/linebacker, Outland Trophy for best tackle/guard/center)
- Roy Roundtree (Biletnikoff Award for top receiver)
- Fitz Toussaint (Maxwell Award for most outstanding player)
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
ted
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 3:23 a.m.
On the defensive side of the ball I think The d gets better. Minus 3 guys upfront, who I think are easily replacable considering they will have more time taught by the coaching staff.
azwolverine
Thu, Jul 19, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
I agree that the D-line should be fine given the talent, both on the field and coaching them, but I wouldn't classify either Martin or Van Bergen as "easily replaceable." Both were long time starters, and that type of experience is difficult to replace, even with talent and coaching.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
It will be fantastic that DRob will be the first Michigan QB to win the O'brian award but not too surprising. DRob is third on almost every Michigan QB statistic and I believe will move into second on everyone this season. I like all the awards he is up for and the acknowledgment and it's pretty obvious, as you have the nations best QB on the nations best team. Although DRob will tell you his biggest thrill is that team. I do agree with Talley above, we still have a few Michigan (so called) fans (like trolls visiting our site) that still cannot recognize DRob for what he has accomplished. They've got a problem. MgoBlueForTiM....Drob wins them all, including the crystal football.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
'O'brien Award'
Scott
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
Tally- Well said. So many people wanted him replaced with Gardner. So many can't wait until Morris gets her. Denard led us to 11-2. At least three of those games we would have lost without Denard's clutch last minute heroics. It as much because of him as anything that the recruits are pilling in. If we went 8-5 things would be way different. Oh and lets not forget that he's a great kid. Don't have to worry about him getting DUI's, beating up his girl friend, trading memorabilia for tats, or worse. He's awesome.
Tally10
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
Boy, it's funny how Sports Writers, Analysts, opposing coaches and college football fans around the country recognize the special talent of DR, yet, some of MICHIGAN fans cannot. All QBs, players for that matter have weaknesses, but even with his weaknesses he's accomplished an 11-2 season ( 18-8 overall ), 8100+/- yds, 72 tds?, a BCS Bowl Championship, a couple M records, and set a NCAA record, and that was playing for 2 different coaches and systems. That compares to or better than any M qb that didn't throw off his back foot. Regardless of these awards, spare injury, DR will arguably be the greatest MICHIGAN qb to date.
RWBill
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
arguably, yes. tough to rate him above Dennis Franklin.
Terry Star21
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 10:47 p.m.
"........some of MICHIGAN fans cannot." Right on Tally. Hate say it cause I love our fans, but a few are sooooooo critical, much like the deadheads and trolls that visit out site daily because their own team is so pitiful.
Scott
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Well defined ghost. and some of us love football for those things most of all- the excitement, dynamic players and great athletes. I don't remember championships as much as I remember great players like Charles Woodson, Anthony Carter, Barry Sanders, and Denard Robinson. The fun of life and football is as much or more in the the journey than the desired destination.
Ghost of Tom Joad
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
While I agree that people seem to be overly critical of DR, to say he'll be the greatest Michigan qb to date is a tall order. We'll see how this year plays out. At a minimum, he's the most dynamic/exciting qb we've ever had.