July 17, 2008

FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State senior quarterback Tom Brandstater was named to the 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Watch List. The Bulldog senior is one of 31 quarterbacks from around the country named to the Watch List for the upcoming 2008 season.

"Tommy is very deserving to be rated among the best quarterbacks in the country," Fresno State coach Pat Hill said. "He's really developed into a premier college quarterback. He is a great leader and a talented player and will be a big part of our success this season just like he was last year. We are looking forward to this season."

Brandstater is coming off an impressive junior season where he passed for 2,654 yards, 15 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He was named MVP of the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl after leading Fresno State to a 40-28 victory over Georgia Tech. Brandstater currently ranks 10th on the career All-Time passing yards list with 4,193. He needs just 66 yards to move into ninth place and 680 yards to move into seventh place.

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