FORT WORTH, Texas - The Football Writers Association announced the first of 10 of the major awards in college football on ESPN's College Football Live this afternoon.  Thirty-three college QB's will start the season on the Davey O'Brien Watch List and Western Michigan's Tim Hiller finds his name among them.

The Davey O'Brien Foundation and its National Selection Committee were the first to announce the watch list for their award, the 2009 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.  Nine more awards will be announce over the next two weeks.  Even though all 120 Division I-FBS schools have a quarterback that is eligible, these 33 are the only ones to start the season on the list and will be looked at on a weekly basis by the committee.  The others are voted on by fans.

The list focuses on a select group of quarterbacks who have demonstrated what members of the Selection Committee have recognized as tremendous preseason talent. The award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field.

The O'Brien will follow performances of all FBS quarterbacks until Semifinalists are selected in late October. Semifinalists will be announced October 26; Finalists November 23; and the Winner December 10. During all rounds of voting, The O'Brien Selection Committee is asked to evaluate each candidate on the criteria of quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

Hiller seems to fit all of the above criteria whether you speak of the seven Western Michigan passing records he broke in 2008, his 4.0 GPA or his community service and faith-based mission work.  Hiller was also named to the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as well.