AP FILE PHOTO – Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) throws a pass during the first half of a Big 12 Conference football game against Kansas on Nov. 4, 2023, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.

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

Becht, the 2023 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year and a second-team Freshman All-American by The Athletic, made a splash in his first season as a quarterback, setting Iowa State 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, Florida native started all 13 games and scored 26 total touchdowns (23 passing, 3 rushing), the second most in a single season in school history. Becht has won 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 on August 31 against 2023 FCS playoff qualifier North Dakota.