Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg was named to the 2012 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award watch list on Wednesday.

The O’Brien Award recognizes the top quarterback in college football. Iowa has a history with the honor: Chuck Long won in 1985, and Brad Banks took the award in 2002. Ricky Stanzi was named a semifinalist in 2010.

Vandenberg, one of 35 QBs to appear on this year’s watch list, also appears on the Maxwell Award and College Football Performance Award watch lists. He was also named the No. 2 quarterback in the Big Ten by ESPN.com.

Vandenberg started all 13 games for Iowa in 2011. He was successful in 237-of-404 pass attempts and threw for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns.

— by Molly Irene Olmstead