NEW ORLEANS, LA. (SMU) – Senior quarterback Kevin Jennings was named to the Manning Award Preseason Watchlist, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced Monday. 
 
Prior to the 2004 college football season, 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 college football quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season.
 
Jennings threw for 3,641 yards in 2025, which was third in the ACC and seventh in FBS. Last season, Jennings set career highs in completions (300), passing yards (3,641), passing touchdowns (26) and completion percentage (66.0).
 
He is tied for third among returning Power Four quarterbacks in career wins as a starter (19), owns the third-highest winning percentage among active FBS quarterbacks (.731), is fifth among returning Power 4 quarterbacks in career passing yards (7,709), ranks fifth among returning Power 4 quarterbacks in career passing touchdowns (55) and is fifth nationally in career total offense for returning Power 4 quarterbacks (8,267).
 
As the starting quarterback for the Mustangs in 2025, he continued to set himself apart on the national stage, becoming one of just 11 quarterbacks in all of FBS to have at least 25 passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns.
 
Finalists will be announced prior to the postseason, and the winner will be selected following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
 
About the Allstate Sugar Bowl
The Allstate Sugar Bowl has established itself as one of the premier college football bowl games, having hosted 29 national champions, 114 Hall of Fame players, 55 Hall of Fame coaches and 21 Heisman Trophy winners in its 92-year history. The 93rd Allstate Sugar Bowl Football Classic, which will serve as a College Football Playoff Semifinal, will be played on January 15, 2027.

In addition to football, the Sugar Bowl Committee annually invests over $1 million into the community through hosting and sponsoring sporting events, awards, scholarships, and clinics. Through these efforts, the organization supports and honors thousands of student-athletes each year, while injecting over $2.6 billion into the local economy in the last decade. For more information, visit www.AllstateSugarBowl.org.