Forty names were announced to the 2017 watch list with Lamar Jackson headlining.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the names of forty “players to watch” for its 2017 Player of the Year award, the nation’s fourth-oldest individual college football accolade. 2016 Walter Camp Player of the Year, Louisville junior quarterback Lamar Jackson headlines the 2017 Watch List. Jackson accounted for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2016 for the Cardinals.
Nine players on the 2017 watch list have previously earned Walter Camp All-America honors.
In all, 30 schools and 10 conferences are represented on the list with national runner-up Alabama having four players, and Ohio State having three.
RELATED: 2017 college football watch lists
“We are proud to continue the great work of Walter Camp and recognize the best college football players in the nation,” Foundation president Michael Madera said. “This watch list is a great start to what is shaping up to be another exciting year of college football.”
The watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in mid-November. The 2017 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 130 NCAA Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on Thursday, December 7. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation’s 51st annual national awards banquet on January 13, 2018 in New Haven.
The watch list is below:
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming, Jr.
Jake Browning, QB, Washington, Jr.
JT Barrett, QB, Ohio State, Sr.
Sam Darnold, QB, USC, Soph.
Luke Falk, QB, Washington State, Sr.
Quinton Flowers, QB, USF, Sr.
Deondre Francois, QB, Florida State, Soph.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama, Soph.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville, Jr. # (2016 Walter Camp Player of Year)
Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, Sr. %
Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Trace McSorley, QB, Penn State, Jr.
Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA, Jr.
Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State, Jr.
Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky, Sr.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State, Jr.
Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia, Sr.
Bo Scarbrough, RB, Alabama, Jr.
Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan, Sr.
Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon, Sr.
Derrius Guice, RB, LSU, Jr.
Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern, Sr.
Jalin Moore, RB, Appalachian State, Jr.
Rashaad Penny, RB/KR, San Diego State, Sr.
Mark Walton, RB, Miami (Fla.), Jr.
Wide Receivers/Special Teams/Lineman
Daniel Carlson, PK, Auburn, Sr. #
Quadree Henderson, WR/KR, Pittsburgh, Jr. #
Billy Price, OL, Ohio State, Sr. *
Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama, Jr.
James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State, Sr.
Mitch Wishnowsky, P, Utah, Jr. #
Defense
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama, Jr. *
Rashan Gary, DT, Michigan, Soph.
Derwin James, DB, Florida State
Arden Key, LB, LSU, Sr.
Harold Landry, DE, Boston College, Sr. #
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson, Soph.
Tyquan Lewis, DL, Ohio State, Sr.
Ed Oliver, DT, Houston, Soph.
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson, Jr. *
# – 2016 Walter Camp First Team All-America selection
*- 2016 Walter Camp Second Team All-America selection
% – 2015 Walter Camp First Team All-America selection
