Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney were among the college football standouts that were named to the HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Watch List that was released on Thursday. As a junior, Boyd threw for 3,896 yards with 36 touchdowns and rushed for 514 yards with 10 TDs. Clowney finished his true sophomore campaign in Columbia with 54 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks and three forced fumbles.

The Heisman Trophy, presented annually since 1935, is the most prestigious award in sports. It is named after famed college football coach John W. Heisman.

The annual watch list gives football fans an early glimpse at a great crop of Heisman contenders for the coming season. This year’s post-spring watch contains 29 players including reigning Heisman winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M.

HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com will consider other players for the 2013 Heisman Trophy Watch List and will also delete players as the season progresses and the winner will be announced in New York on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The 2013 HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Watch List (post spring edition)

(In alphabetical order)

Ameer Abdullah, Jr., RB, Nebraska

David Ash, Jr., QB, Texas

Blake Bell, Jr., QB, Oklahoma

Tajh Boyd, Sr., QB, Clemson

Teddy Bridgewater, Jr., QB, Louisville

Ka’deem Carey, Jr., RB, Arizona

Derek Carr, Sr., QB, Fresno State

Jadeveon Clowney, Jr., DE, South Carolina

Stefon Diggs, So., WR, Maryland

Cody Fajardo, Jr., QB, Nevada

David Fales, Sr., QB, San Jose State

Devin Gardner, Jr., QB, Michigan

Everett Golson, So., QB, Notre Dame

Todd Gurley, So., RB, Georgia

Kevin Hogan, So., QB, Stanford

Brett Hundley, So., QB, UCLA

Duke Johnson, So., RB, Miami

Marqise Lee, Jr., WR, USC

Jordan Lynch, Sr., QB, Northern Illinois

Johnny Manziel, So., QB, Texas A&M

Marcus Mariota, So., QB, Oregon

Venric Mark, Sr., RB, Northwestern

Taylor Martinez, Sr., QB, Nebraska

AJ McCarron, Sr., QB, Alabama

Braxton Miller, Jr., QB, Ohio State

Aaron Murray, Sr., QB, Georgia

Lache Seastrunk, Jr., RB, Baylor

De’Anthony Thomas, Jr., RB, Oregon

TJ Yeldon, So., RB, Alabama