The talent in this year’s Big 12 quarterback crop hasn’t gone unnoticed. The July release of the 2011 Davey O’Brien Award Watch List included Big 12 quarterbacks Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Landry Jones (Oklahoma), Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State), and Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M).

These aren’t the only Big 12 schools entering the 2011 season with intriguing storylines, good or bad, at quarterback. Here’s my ranking of the Big 12’s signal-callers.

1. Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Landry Jones looks to continue his reign as a dominant passer in the Big 12. Jones has the opportunity to top nearly every passing category in his school’s history over the next two years. With a target like senior wide receiver Ryan Broyles, the Sooners passing attack will be tough to stop.

Grade: A+

1. Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

Weeden will try to defend his 2010 first team All Big-12 honors this season. Weeden finished last year with 4,277 yards and 34 touchdowns. The high-power, air-raid style of offense being played in Stillwater should allow Weeden to produce another season of that nature in 2011. It can’t hurt to have a target like junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon either.

Grade: A+

1. Robert Griffin III, Baylor

Robert Griffin III is the best dual threat quarterback in the conference this year. He threw 22 touchdown passes and ran for eight more last season. With a solid receiving corps and the ability to make plays on the ground, Griffin III should live up to the Baylor faithful’s pre-season hype.

Grade: A

1. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Tannehill will finally be the man in College Station. After replacing Jerrod Johnson, Tannehill led the Aggies on a 6 game winning streak before losing to LSU in the Cotton bowl last season. Tannehill may not have the experience of his counterparts, but he does have the respect of Big 12 defensive backs.

Grade: A-

1. Garrett Gilbert, Texas

Gilbert was recently named the starter for the Longhorns, although he had a season to forget last year, throwing 17 interceptions and just 10 touchdown passes. He will have to take better care of the ball and utilize the talent rich environment of UT football if he wants to lead the ‘horns out of last season’s (5-7) doldrums.

Grade: B

1. James Franklin, Missouri

Franklin will be the man in charge at Missouri this season. Franklin appeared in 10 games last year, largely in a rushing role. A lack of experience could be quelled by the return of every prominent receiver from last year’s squad.

Grade: B-

1. Seth Doege, Texas Tech

Doege appears to be the next quarterback in line for Texas Tech. A lack of experience and the loss of last year’s top receivers will prove tough to overcome.

Grade: C+

1. Jordan Webb, Kansas

The Jayhawks sophomore starter will try to improve on a rough 2010 season in which he threw seven touchdown passes and eight interceptions. Look for Webb to make marked improvement, although the backfield could take away from Webb’s numbers on paper.

Grade: C

1. Collin Klein, Kansas State Klein takes over in Manhattan having thrown just 19 passes in his career. Klein has already had a large role in the Wildcats’ run game, but his lack of full time experience could prove to be a problem.

Grade: C-

1. Steele Jantz, Iowa State

Jantz, a junior college transfer from City College of San Francisco, was named this year’s starter for the Cyclones. Jantz has a massive amount of upside, and will benefit from a solid offensive line. Jantz faces a tough adjustment to Big 12 football.

Grade: D