AMES — Rocco Becht has been named to the Davey O’Brien Award preseason watch list, the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced Thursday. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback.

The 2023 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a Second-Team Freshman All-American by the Athletic, Becht turned heads in his first season under center. He set ISU freshman records for completions (231), passing yards (3,120) and passing touchdowns (23). Last season, Becht had the third-most passing touchdowns and fourth-most passing yards among Big 12 quarterbacks.

The Wesley Chapel, Fla. native started all 13 games and accounted for 26 total touchdowns (23 passing, three rushing), the second-most in a single season in school history. Becht owns two of the five games in school history with 300+ passing yards, 3+ touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game.

The Cyclones open the season August 31 against 2023 FCS Playoff qualifier North Dakota.