Adrian Martinez should be contender for Davey O’ Brien Award

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws past the rushing Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the Michigan Wolverines versus Nebraska Cornhuskers game on Saturday September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 22: Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) throws past the rushing Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the Michigan Wolverines versus Nebraska Cornhuskers game on Saturday September 22, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Nebraska Football could have a winner in this category.

Nebraska Football quarterback Adrian Martinez was named to the Davey O’ Brien Award Watch List on Tuesday. He was one of 30 quarterbacks to make the list, with the honor given to the best quarterback in the country at the conclusion of the season.

The watchlist will be trimmed down to 16 semifinalists on Wednesday, November 13. Monday, November 25 is  when the list will be trimmed down to three quarterbacks. The winner will be announced on ESPN Thursday, December 12.  Martinez certainly joins good company.

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He has as good a shot to win it as anybody. He had a tremendous freshman season and certainly looks like he is in a good position to build off of that this fall. With a new group of running backs, some speedy wide receivers, and a tight end group that certainly has a ton of size, Adrian Martinez should be able to put up even bigger numbers next year. The growth and maturity that he has displayed during this offseason is certainly telling.

Particularly, the way he has conducted himself in interviews certainly bodes well for the season. He seems very mature in his responses, and he doesn’t seem like he is shying away from interviews either. He seems very willing to take the spotlight, something that admittedly may help him in his quest for not just the Davey O’ Brien Award, but other things as well. With him and head coach Scott Frost, I believe that Nebraska Football is ready for the national stage.

To me, this award will be given to the quarterback who performs the best in conference play. The Big Ten Conference is going to be tough, and every Saturday is going to be a tooth-and-nail fight. Me personally, I love it. That’s good football. If Adrian Martinez can stand out from the rest of the crowd, he should be able to win that award easily. He just needs to stay focused and play his best when the pressure is on. Sounds easy, right?

If nothing else, the fact that he is on this award list is a win for Nebraska Football. It’s been a while since they have received this much national recognition. Hopefully, it continues, as it seems like the program is on an upswing that can only mean good things for the future. Of course, the proof is in the results. There is no doubt that the future is extremely bright for everyone involved.