GREENSBORO, N.C.—The Atlantic Coast Conference had the most
quarterbacks chosen of any conference nationally with five selections on the
2015 Manning Award Preseason Watch List announced Thursday.
The Manning Award, created and sponsored by the Allstate
Sugar Bowl, honors the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and
Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’
bowl performances in its balloting. A total of 30 quarterbacks nationally were
chosen for this year’s Watch List.
Leading the way is Clemson sophomore Deshaun Watson, who was
voted the ACC’s preseason Player of the Year by the credentialed media at the
recently concluded ACC Football Kickoff in Pinehurst, N.C.
Joining Watson is NC State senior Jacoby Brissett, Miami
sophomore Brad Kaaya, Georgia Tech junior Justin Thomas and North Carolina
senior Marquise Williams.
Brissett recorded one of the best seasons in ACC history in
interception avoidance in 2014, tossing only five picks in 370 attempts with 23
touchdown passes.
Kaaya was named the ACC Rookie of the Year after leading the
conference in passing efficiency (145.9) and touchdown passes (26).
Thomas rushed for 1,086 yards—the second-highest total by a
quarterback in ACC history--and recorded a passing efficiency mark of 153.90
which would have led the conference had he had enough pass attempts. He
accounted for 26 touchdowns (TDR) in leading Tech to an 11-3 record and No. 8
national ranking.
Watson, despite being limited to eight games due to injury,
managed a passing efficiency rating of 188.57 which would have led the nation
had he played in enough game to qualify. Watson accounted for 19 touchdowns,
passing and rushing, in his abbreviated rookie season.
Williams ran and passed for 34 touchdowns in 2014, which
tied for the ninth-best single-season total in ACC history, and finished second
in the conference in total offense with 3,856 yards.
The ACC members of the 2015 preseason Manning Watch List
are:
Player | School | Cl. | Hometown |
Jacoby Brissett | NC State | Sr.-R | West Palm Beach, Fla. |
Brad Kaaya | Miami | So. | West Hills, Calif. |
Justin Thomas | Georgia Tech | Jr.-R | Prattville, Ala. |
Deshaun Watson | Clemson | So. | Gainesville, Ga. . |
Marquise Williams | North Carolina | Sr. | Charlotte, N.C. |
