Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts was one of 10 finalists named for the 2016 Manning Award on Wednesday, per the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Hurts, a native of Channelview, Texas, has turned in a record-setting year.
He’s the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama since 1984 (Vince Sutton), and first ever to start under Nick Saban. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Hurts captains a team that is undefeated entering conference championship week. Through 12 games, he’s accounted for 2,454 passing yards, 840 rushing yards and 33 total touchdowns, while maintaining a 65.9 percent completion mark and a passer rating of 147.13.
Hurts’ four 100-yard rushing games are the most by any Crimson Tide signal caller, and he became the first quarterback in school history to pass for 300 yards and rush for 100 against the Bulldogs in a 51-3 win.
Joining Hurts as finalists are: J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), Jake Browning (Washington), Sam Darnold (USC), Luke Falk (Washington State), Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Patrick Mahomes II (Texas Tech), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Zach Terrell (Western Michigan) and Deshaun Watson (Clemson). The winner of the Manning Award will be announced after the bowls in January and will be honored at a ceremony in New Orleans.
The Manning Award is sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, and was created in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It’s the only award that includes the candidates’ bowl performance in its balloting. Since its origination in 2004, college football’s quarterback award has been won by four Southeastern Conference players. Ex-LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell earned the honor in 2006, while Tim Tebow (Florida, 2008), Cam Newton (Auburn, 2010) and Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012) would join him.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
