The Manning Award released its 30-member Watch List on Monday, in case you needed reminding which quarterbacks were the best in college football. The Manning separates itself from the Davey O’Brien and Unitas quarterback awards -- and, more often than not, the Heisman and Maxwell, too -- by taking bowl performances into account before handing out its trophy.
“We once again have a great group of quarterbacks returning to college football this fall,” said Archie Manning in a statement. “While this Watch List has many of the best returning players, we look forward to making midseason additions as teams settle on definite starters and as young players step up and make names for themselves. I’m really looking forward to getting the season rolling to see which guys will rise to the top and become Manning Award finalists.”
The Watch List includes:
- Tommy Armstrong, Nebraska
- J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
- C.J. Beathard, Iowa
- Jake Browning, Washington
- Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee
- Dane Evans, Tulsa
- Luke Falk, Washington State
- Quinton Flowers, South Florida
- Skyler Howard, West Virginia
- Lamar Jackson, Louisville
- Brad Kaaya, Miami
- Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
- Trevor Knight, Texas A&M
- Taylor Lamb, Appalachian State
- Wes Lunt, Illinois
- Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech
- Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- Nick Mullens, Southern Miss
- Kent Myers, Utah State
- Josh Rosen, UCLA
- Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
- Cooper Rush, Central Michigan
- Seth Russell, Baylor
- Brett Rypien, Boise State
- Brandon Silvers, Troy
- Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee
- Zach Terrell, Western Michigan
- Phillip Walker, Temple
- Deshaun Watson, Clemson
As far as snubs go, Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer and/or Malik Zaire feel like pretty big ones. If you’re the type to get upset about preseason watch lists, that is. (Which you shouldn’t be.)
The Manning Award will announce its midseason Watch List additions -- which either Kizer or Zaire will be -- on Oct. 12, its 10 finalists on Nov. 30, and its winner on Jan. 11.
Watson will attempt to become the first repeat winner in the 12-year history of the award. Previous winners (Matt Leinart, Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston) are 0-for-4 in their attempts to repeat.
