Harris Named to Manning Quarterback Award Watch List
July 20, 2010
NEW ORLEANS – University of Miami junior quarterback Jacory Harris has been named to the preseason Watch List for the 2010 Manning Quarterback Award, as announced by the AllState Sugar Bowl on Tuesday. The award, which is in its seventh year, is presented to the top quarterback in the nation.
Harris is the eighth student-athlete selected to the Watch List. The members are being released in a completely random order.
In 2009, Harris threw for 3,352 yards – the first Miami quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season since Ken Dorsey in 2002. His sophomore campaign ranks as one of the most productive in school history, as the Miami native recorded Top 10 numbers for a single season for pass completions (second, 242), passing yards (fourth, 3352), touchdown passes (sixth, 24) and total offense (fifth, 3,133 yards).
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidates’ bowl performances. Ten finalists will be selected in late-November and the winner will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a ceremony in New Orleans.
The preseason Watch List recognizes some of the top quarterbacks in the nation based on previous collegiate performance, however, every quarterback in the nation remains eligible for the honor. Additional quarterbacks may be added to the Watch List after the start of the season. The list of 10 finalists will be released on Monday, Nov. 29. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
The Manning Award will be recognizing its seventh winner this year. USC’s Matt Leinart was the inaugural winner of the award in 2005, followed by Texas’ Vince Young in 2006. Both went on to be top 10 NFL draft picks. In 2007, LSU’s JaMarcus Russell earned the award and was the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick. Boston College’s Matt Ryan claimed the award in 2008 and was drafted No. 3, quickly becoming the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. In 2009, Florida star Tim Tebow earned the honor – he also went on to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Last year’s winner was Texas signal-caller Colt McCoy, the winningest quarterback in college football history. McCoy was picked by the Cleveland Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Miami, ranked in the Top 20 in most preseason polls, opens the 2010 campaign with a Thursday (Sept. 2) matchup against Florida A&M at Sun Life Stadium.
