Rudolph, Mayfield, Evans Named To Preseason Manning Watch List

A trio of local quarterbacks, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield and Tulsa’s Dane Evans were named to the preseason Manning Award watch list on Monday.

Mayfield was a finalist for the award last year. Winner Deshaun Watson of Clemson returns to the list as do fellow finalists Chad Kelly of Ole Miss and Greg Ward, Jr. of Houston. Former Sooner Trevor Knight, now at Texas A&M, and former Cowboy Wes Lunt, now at Illinois, are also on the list.

Fellow Big 12 signal callers Pat Mahomes of Texas Tech, Skyler Howard of West Virginia and Seth Russell of Baylor are also named.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. The list includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation and will be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.

Inclusion on the Watch List is not necessary for the quarterbacks to be selected for the honor. Midseason additions to the Watch List will be announced on Wednesday, October 12. The list of 10 finalists will be released on Wednesday, November 30. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, January 11.