UTEP senior Jordan Palmer is one of 60 players named to the watch list for the 70th Maxwell Award, presented to the national player of the year.

Palmer is one of 26 quarterbacks on the list. He and Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb are the only Conference USA players recognized.

"I'm honored to be on the list," Palmer said. "But I have a lot of work to do, not only to improve as a player but to improve our team's chances of success. As flattering as this is, it just gives me one more reason I didn't need to get excited about the season."

Twelve semifinalists for each award will be announced in October, and the fied will be trimmed to three finalists in November. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December, with the formal presentation to be made at the Maxwell Football Awards Banquet in March, 2007.

Palmer is UTEP's career record-holder for passing yards (7,489), touchdown passes (62), completions (569), attempts (998), efficiency (130.53), total offense (7,532 yards), touchdowns responsible for (68) and 300-yard passing games (10). He set school seasonal records for passing yards (3,503), touchdown passes (29) and total offense (3,453 yards) in 2005. Palmer was also 16th in the country in total offense (287.8 ypg) and 25th in passing efficiency (140.54) a year ago.