Another day, another award handing out finalists as if they were candy.
This time around it’s the Manning Award’s turn, with the honor that’s the only one to take into account bowl performances naming 10 quarterback finalists for this year’s trophy.
Five seniors, two juniors and two sophomores are up for the 2013 Manning, named in honor of former college quarterbacking greats Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. Florida State’s Jameis Winston is the only freshman finalist.
Six of the 10 finalists in 2013 were finalists in 2012: Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, Alabama’s AJ McCarron and Georgia’s Aaron Murray.
Manziel was the winner of the 2012-13 Manning Award, the first freshman winner in its eight-year history.
Seven different conferences are represented, with the SEC (three) and the ACC (two) the only leagues with more than one finalist.
“This has been another great year for quarterbacks; and it’s getting more interesting as the games get bigger,” Archie Manning said in a statement. “We really appreciate our selection committee’s work in choosing this outstanding group of finalists. I’m looking forward to seeing how they all do over the next couple of weeks and through their bowl games as we prepare to honor our 10th winner in January.”
