Arkansas quarterback named to Manning Award watch list

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback K.J. Jefferson is one of 33 quarterbacks named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best college quarterback.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of 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.

Jefferson is poised to rewrite a large portion of the Arkansas record book this fall as he heads into his third season as the Hogs’ full-time starter. The Sardis, Miss., native sits inside the career top 10 in school history in completions (436 — seventh), yards (5,816 — seventh), touchdown passes (48 — sixth), 300yard passing games (five — third), total plays (1,028 — sixth), total yards (7,245 — fifth) and touchdown responsibility (67 — fourth). Jefferson’s name is dotted throughout the school record book for numerous single-season records, including twice for completion percentage in 2021 (.673 — third) and 2022 (.680 — second).

Jefferson, who passed for 2,648 yards and 24 touchdowns with 640 yards and nine rushing scores on the ground in 2022, is the first Arkansas quarterback to earn preseason All-Southeastern Conference accolades since 2012. He was also named to the preseason watch lists for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien awards.

Inclusion on the Watch List is not necessary for the quarterbacks to be selected for the honor. Transfers and other newcomers at schools were not eligible for the preseason Watch List, but additional quarterbacks will be added to the Watch List during the season. Finalists will be selected prior to the postseason and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Jefferson and the Razorbacks kick off the season at 3 p.m. Sept. 2 against FCS foe Western Carolina at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark.