The Manning Award, presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, is an annual honor recognizing the nation’s top college football quarterback. Created in 2004, the award celebrates the remarkable football legacy of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning while recognizing the outstanding quarterbacks who continue to shape the game at the collegiate level.
What sets the Manning Award apart is its unique postseason component. It is the only college football quarterback award that takes a player’s bowl and College Football Playoff performances into consideration as part of the voting process. The award is presented following the completion of the College Football Playoff and bowl season, giving quarterbacks the opportunity to add their postseason performances to their overall body of work.
Honoring the Manning Legacy
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, three generations of quarterbacks whose careers are deeply connected to the state of Louisiana and the Sugar Bowl.
Together, the Mannings combined for more than 25,000 passing yards and 201 touchdowns during their college careers, while appearing in 10 bowl games and earning four bowl MVP awards. Archie Manning was selected No. 2 overall in the 1971 NFL Draft, while Peyton Manning and Eli Manning were each selected No. 1 overall.
The award's list of winners reflects that tradition, featuring many of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football history.
Tradition of Excellence
Since its inaugural presentation in 2004, the Manning Award has recognized an impressive list of quarterbacks, including Matt Leinart, Vince Young, JaMarcus Russell, Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, Mac Jones, Bryce Young, Stetson Bennett, Jayden Daniels, Cam Ward and Fernando Mendoza.
Mendoza became the 2025 Manning Award recipient after leading Indiana to the first national championship in program history and the first 16-0 season in FBS history. He also won the Heisman Trophy and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. During Indiana's College Football Playoff run, Mendoza led the Hoosiers to victories in the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl before defeating Miami 27-21 in the national championship game.
Manning Stars of the Week
The Manning Award also recognizes outstanding quarterback performances throughout the regular season through its Manning Award Stars of the Week program.
Each week, the Allstate Sugar Bowl selects eight quarterbacks following their performances on the field. Fans then have the opportunity to vote for the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week.
Since the Stars of the Week program began in 2011, more than 600 quarterbacks representing 138 different schools have been recognized.
Manning Futures
The Allstate Sugar Bowl also recognizes the next generation of quarterbacks through Manning Futures, a weekly program honoring outstanding high school quarterback performances.
Manning Futures provides an opportunity to recognize young quarterbacks throughout Louisiana and the surrounding region while celebrating the continued growth of the game at the high school level.
Manning Award and the Allstate Sugar Bowl
The Manning Award represents the Allstate Sugar Bowl's longstanding commitment to college football and to recognizing excellence at the quarterback position.
From Archie Manning's legendary career at Ole Miss to Peyton and Eli Manning's outstanding college careers, the Manning name has become synonymous with quarterback excellence. Each year, the Manning Award continues that legacy by honoring another quarterback who has distinguished himself throughout the regular season — and, uniquely, on college football's biggest postseason stages.
