FORT WORTH, Texas — Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins and Michigan’s Denard Robinson have both been named semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award.

The Davey O’Brien Foundation announced the 16 semifinalists for the 2010 The O’Brien on Monday.

Narrowed down from all 120 quarterbacks from NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools, semifinalists were selected by The O’Brien National Selection Committee, with the Fan Vote accounting for 5 percent of the total vote. The committee was asked to consider the following criteria: quarterback skills, academics, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

The list highlights seven juniors, five sophomores, three seniors and one freshman. The Big Ten and Big 12 lead all conferences with four candidates. The Pac-10 is represented by three players.

Matt Barkley (So., USC), Kellen Moore (Jr., Boise State) and Ricky Stanzi (Sr., Iowa) are the only returning semifinalists.

2010 Davey O’Brien Semifinalists

Matt Barkley SO USC Pac-10

Kirk Cousins JR Michigan State Big Ten

Andy Dalton SR TCU MWC

Blaine Gabbert JR Missouri Big 12

Robert Griffin III SO Baylor Big 12

Landry Jones SO Oklahoma Big 12

Colin Kaepernick SR Nevada WAC

Andrew Luck JR Stanford Pac-10

Ryan Mallett JR Arkansas SEC

Taylor Martinez FR Nebraska Big 12

Kellen Moore JR Boise State WAC

Cam Newton JR Auburn SEC

Terrelle Pryor JR Ohio State Big Ten

Denard Robinson SO Michigan Big Ten

Ricky Stanzi SR Iowa Big Ten

Darron Thomas SO Oregon Pac-10

Fans may now help determine which three quarterbacks will advance as finalists by voting as often as once daily at www.VoteOBrien.org. Fan voting will close at 1 p.m. on Nov. 21.

The Foundation and the Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Monday, Nov. 22.

The 2010 winner will be announced on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 9 and will be honored at the 34th Annual O’Brien Awards Dinner on Feb. 21, 2011 at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.