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A&M Record-Holder Jerrod Johnson Added to Manning Watch List

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Already the Texas A&M record-holder in touchdown passes, Jerrod Johnson (official bio) is the third Big 12 quarterback named to the Manning Award Watch List for 2010-11. The Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Johnson has tremendous size (6-5, 240) which has made him a top professional prospect as well. The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, is releasing the Watch List one player per day through its official Facebook and Twitter pages. The award has honored the top quarterback in the nation for the past six years.

Allstate Sugar Bowl on Facebook

Allstate Sugar Bowl on Twitter

After a breakout junior season, many expect Johnson will produce even better numbers in 2010 with the benefit of a veteran receiving corps and better protection up front. In 2009, his second year as a starter, Johnson completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,579 yards with 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions, setting eight school records in the process (passing yards, completions, attempts, passing TDs, TD responsibility, 300-yard passing games, total offense and total plays). He holds the A&M career record with 53 touchdown passes and needs just 929 yards to become the all-time leader in that category. Johnson ranked in the top 12 nationally in nearly every passing category and was third in the nation in total offense with 314.2 yards-per-game. Johnson is the first player in school history with eight career 300-yard passing games to his credit and he set five school bowl records in the Independence Bowl against Georgia last year. After making a name for himself last year, the senior is receiving major hype for 2010 - he has already been tabbed for several pre-season awards and has been mentioned in Heisman trophy talk as well. The Aggies face Stephen F. Austin in the 2010 season opener on Sept. 4.

Johnson has also been selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works team, recognizing college football players who are also exceptional off the field in support of their communities.

Jerrod Johnson YouTube highlights

Aug. 25 ESPN.com story on Johnson being inspired by his father

July 27 Daily Texan story about Johnson and Heisman hype

July 26 Q&A with Johnson from the Austin-American Statesman

July 26 Dallas Morning News feature on Johnson

July 26 Houston Chronicle feature on Johnson

2010-11 Manning Award Watch List Photo Gallery

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.

-AllstateSugarBowl.org-