Manning Award
The Manning Award is an annual American college football honor presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to the nation's top quarterback, recognizing exceptional performance during the regular season, bowl games, and College Football Playoff.[1] Established in 2004, it is named after legendary quarterback Archie Manning and his sons Peyton and Eli, celebrating their combined collegiate achievements at the University of Mississippi and other programs.[1] Unlike other quarterback awards, the Manning Award uniquely factors in postseason play, including bowl game and playoff performances, into its final balloting to determine the recipient.[1] The selection process involves a preseason watch list of up to 35 quarterbacks, narrowed to finalists before the postseason, with the winner announced annually after the conclusion of bowl season and the College Football Playoff National Championship.[1] Voting is conducted by a distinguished panel of national and local media members, supplemented by input from Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning themselves, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of leadership, statistics, and team success.[1] Since its inception, the award has recognized 21 winners, including standout performers like Miami's Cam Ward in 2024, who led the nation with 39 passing touchdown passes and set the NCAA Division I record for career passing touchdowns with 158.[2] Notable past recipients highlight the award's prestige, such as Alabama's Bryce Young (2021), who went on to win the Heisman Trophy, and LSU's Jayden Daniels (2023), a future NFL first-round draft pick.[3] The Manning Award underscores the importance of quarterback excellence in college football, often serving as a key indicator of NFL potential, with many winners advancing to professional success like Peyton and Eli Manning.[4]Overview
Establishment and Naming
The Manning Award was created in 2004 by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee to recognize exceptional performances by collegiate quarterbacks throughout the regular season and postseason bowl games.[1] As the only quarterback-specific award that incorporates bowl game statistics in its evaluation, it was designed to celebrate leadership and excellence on the field, distinguishing it from other honors focused solely on regular-season play.[5] The award is named in tribute to the Manning family's storied contributions to college football, particularly the collegiate careers of Archie Manning, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning. Archie, a two-time All-American, quarterbacked the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1968 to 1970, leading the Rebels to a 22–10–1 record and earning SEC Player of the Year honors in 1969.[6] His son Peyton starred at the University of Tennessee from 1994 to 1997, where he set school records for passing yards (11,201) and touchdowns (89), finishing as the runner-up for the 1997 Heisman Trophy after a senior season with 3,819 yards and 36 touchdowns.[7] Eli followed in his father's footsteps at Ole Miss from 2000 to 2003, amassing 10,119 passing yards and 81 touchdowns while earning All-SEC recognition and leading the Rebels to a 10-win season in 2003.[8] Together, the three quarterbacks combined for over 25,000 passing yards, 201 touchdowns, and multiple All-SEC and Academic All-SEC honors across 10 bowl appearances.[9] The award's establishment came amid the Mannings' rising legacy in the sport, shortly after Eli's college tenure concluded and building on the national prominence gained from Peyton's Heisman-caliber performance in 1997.[10] The inaugural announcement occurred in late 2004, with the first recipient, USC quarterback Matt Leinart, honored on January 5, 2005, following his Heisman Trophy-winning season that included a dominant BCS National Championship performance.[5] This timing underscored the award's intent to perpetuate the Manning tradition of quarterback excellence in college football.Purpose and Eligibility
The Manning Award seeks to honor the nation's top collegiate quarterback each year, recognizing exceptional leadership and performance at the position, with a particular emphasis on both passing efficiency and dual-threat capabilities that contribute to overall offensive success. Unlike other prominent honors such as the Heisman Trophy, which celebrates the most outstanding player across all positions based on total impact, the Manning Award is dedicated exclusively to quarterbacks, allowing it to spotlight specialized excellence in play-calling, accuracy, and mobility without broader positional competition. This focus distinguishes it as the only major quarterback award that explicitly values rushing contributions alongside passing statistics, accommodating the rise of versatile, dual-threat players in contemporary college football.[1][11] Eligibility for the Manning Award is open to all quarterbacks competing in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs, provided they fulfill the quarterback role for their team and demonstrate significant participation throughout the season. Since its establishment in 2004, the award's criteria have evolved from an initial primary focus on passing metrics to a more holistic evaluation that incorporates rushing prowess, reflecting changes in offensive strategies and the increasing prevalence of mobile quarterbacks who enhance team dynamics through both aerial and ground attacks.[12][13]Selection Process
Criteria and Evaluation
The Manning Award assesses quarterback performance through a multifaceted lens that balances quantitative statistics with qualitative contributions to team success. Primary statistical criteria include passing yards and touchdown passes, along with overall impact.[1] Beyond numbers, evaluators consider leadership on the field, the quarterback's role in driving team victories, and their impact in critical games against strong opponents, ensuring the award honors players who elevate their program's performance.[1] The evaluation process commences each year in August with the announcement of a preseason watch list comprising around 30 nominees, drawn from players generating significant preseason buzz, backed by strong prior-season statistics and expert projections. Additional players are added to the watch list based on outstanding performances during the season.[12][14] Throughout the regular season, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee monitors performances via game film review and data analysis, identifying weekly standouts through the "Star of the Week" honors to track emerging leaders. This continuous observation extends into postseason play, culminating in a final review that incorporates bowl game and College Football Playoff results, distinguishing the Manning Award as the only major quarterback honor to fully integrate postseason contributions in its deliberations. A hallmark of the Manning Award is its holistic approach, diverging from purely stats-driven accolades by emphasizing qualitative elements like clutch decision-making under pressure and intangible leadership that inspires teammates. There are no rigid numerical benchmarks, such as minimum yardage thresholds, allowing flexibility for quarterbacks in varied offensive systems or on teams with challenging schedules. This comprehensive methodology prioritizes overall game impact and contextual performance over isolated metrics, fostering a selection process that rewards well-rounded excellence.[1]Voting and Announcement
The Manning Award winner is selected by a voting panel composed of national media members covering college football, along with input from the Manning family—Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning—who participate in the final decision-making process.[1][14] This panel reviews performances from the regular season, conference championships, and postseason bowl games, including the College Football Playoff, making it the only major quarterback award to incorporate bowl statistics in its evaluation.[12] Voting for the award takes place after the conclusion of the College Football Playoff National Championship, allowing the panel to assess complete postseason contributions.[14] Finalists, typically around 10 quarterbacks, are announced in early December prior to the postseason, but the full balloting process occurs in the weeks following the national title game in mid-January.[15] There is no public voting component for selecting the overall winner; fan input is limited to weekly "Stars of the Week" honors during the regular season.[16] The winner is officially announced in late January, shortly after the national championship game, via a press release from the Allstate Sugar Bowl.[17] The formal presentation ceremony occurs in March in New Orleans, Louisiana, often involving members of the Manning family, such as Archie Manning, who has personally handed the award to recipients in past years.[18] This event ties into the Sugar Bowl's broader commitment to honoring quarterback excellence, with the ceremony held at a venue in the city, emphasizing the award's New Orleans roots.[1]Recipients
Annual Winners
The Manning Award has been presented annually since its inception in 2004 to recognize the top collegiate quarterback based on performance through the regular season, conference championships, and postseason games.[1] Each winner is selected by a panel of media members and former players, honoring exceptional passing efficiency, leadership, and impact on team success.[3] The following table lists all annual winners from 2004 to 2024, including their school, key passing statistics (completions-attempts, yards, touchdowns, interceptions), and team record for the season. Statistics include bowl or playoff games where applicable. Notable unique circumstances are noted where relevant, such as the first freshman recipient or dual-threat dominance.[3]| Year | Winner | School | Passing Stats (Cmp-Att, Yds, TD, Int) | Team Record | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Matt Leinart | USC | 269-412, 3,322, 33, 6 | 13-0 | Led USC to national championship; first winner.[3] |
| 2005 | Vince Young | Texas | 212-325, 3,036, 26, 10 | 13-0 | Dual-threat pioneer with over 1,000 rushing yards; national champions.[3] |
| 2006 | JaMarcus Russell | LSU | 232-342, 3,129, 28, 8 | 12-2 | Strong arm highlighted in SEC title game.[3] |
| 2007 | Matt Ryan | Boston College | 388-654, 4,507, 31, 19 | 11-3 | High-volume passer in ACC.[3] |
| 2008 | Tim Tebow | Florida | 192-298, 2,746, 30, 4 | 13-1 | First dominant dual-threat winner with 673 rushing yards and 23 rushing TDs.[3] |
| 2009 | Colt McCoy | Texas | 332-470, 3,521, 27, 12 | 13-1 | Led Big 12 in efficiency.[3] |
| 2010 | Cam Newton | Auburn | 185-280, 2,854, 30, 7 | 14-0 | Dual-threat with 1,473 rushing yards; national champions amid NCAA scrutiny.[3] |
| 2011 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor | 291-402, 4,293, 37, 6 | 10-3 | Explosive Big 12 offense.[3] |
| 2012 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M | 295-434, 3,706, 26, 9 | 11-2 | First freshman winner; added 757 rushing yards in SEC debut year.[3] |
| 2013 | Jameis Winston | Florida State | 257-384, 4,057, 40, 10 | 14-0 | National champions; Heisman winner.[3] |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon | 304-445, 4,454, 42, 4 | 13-2 | Dual-threat with 770 rushing yards.[3] |
| 2015 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | 333-491, 4,104, 35, 13 | 14-1 | Added 638 rushing yards.[3] |
| 2016 | Deshaun Watson | Clemson | 388-579, 4,593, 41, 17 | 14-1 | National champions; repeat winner.[3] |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma | 285-404, 4,627, 43, 6 | 12-2 | Big 12 record for TDs.[3] |
| 2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma | 260-377, 4,361, 42, 7 | 12-2 | Heisman winner; 1,001 rushing yards.[3] |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU | 402-527, 5,671, 60, 6 | 15-0 | Record-setting season; national champions.[3] |
| 2020 | Mac Jones | Alabama | 311-402, 4,500, 41, 4 | 13-2 | National champions in COVID-shortened season.[3] |
| 2021 | Bryce Young | Alabama | 366-547, 4,872, 47, 7 | 13-2 | Heisman winner.[3] |
| 2022 | Stetson Bennett | Georgia | 310-454, 4,128, 27, 7 | 15-0 | National champions; efficient game manager.[3] |
| 2023 | Jayden Daniels | LSU | 236-327, 3,812, 40, 4 | 10-3 | Dual-threat with 1,134 rushing yards; Heisman winner.[3] |
| 2024 | Cameron Ward | Miami (FL) | 305-454, 4,313, 39, 7 | 10-3 | Led ACC in TDs; first 10-win season since 2017.[3] |