Drew Allar predictably nominated to preseason watch list for best CFB quarterback

The Allstate Sugar Bowl unveiled its 27-player 2025 Manning Award Preseason Watch List featuring the country's best college football quarterbacks ahead of the upcoming season. The award, in honor of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning, is the only quarterback award that takes postseason performance into consideration.

In 2024, Cameron Ward received the honor and now Penn State football's Drew Allar was deemed an early candidate.

"We're looking forward to another exciting year of college football," Archie Manning said, according to the Allstate Sugar Bowl press release. "I'd like to thank the Sugar Bowl for continuing to build the tradition of the Manning Award which now has over 20 years of honoring the top quarterbacks in the country for the entire football season. This year we have another great group on our preseason Watch List; in October, we'll review the transfers and other newcomers and then boost the Watch List with the best from that group."

Incoming freshmen and transfers are not included on the initial watch list, meaning the Big Ten was not largely in consideration for the award. Allar and Illinois' Luke Altmyer were the only conference quarterbacks to make the preseason list.

As the season progresses, more quarterbacks will be added based on their performances. Finalists will be revealed ahead of the postseason and the winner will be announced after the conclusion of the College Football Playoff Championship.

Drew Allar earns spot on 2025 Manning Award Preseason Watch List

In 2024, Allar finished with an 81.6 quarterback rating and 66.5 completion percentage. He threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns. On the ground, Allar gained 302 yards and six rushing touchdowns as well.

Now entering his senior season and third year as Penn State's starting quarterback, Allar lost 10 pounds and is expected by himself and head coach James Franklin to be a more effective threat in the run game. Though not considered a dual threat quarterback and also not needing to be one with the running back room, being lighter on his feet gives him more options to scramble confidently.

If Allar makes the necessary jumps in his all-around game, not only in the run game, it will be a shock for him not to be a Manning Award finalist after the regular season. He's considered as the Nittany Lions' "X factor" by ESPN's Adam Rittenberg if he performs his best at crucial moments in the season.

The Big Ten has yet to produce a Manning Award-winning quarterback. However, the award has factored into the NFL Draft as many winners have gone No. 1 or No. 2 overall (e.g. Joe Burrow, Baker Mayfield, Cam Newton, Jayden Daniels, and Robert Griffin III).

Allar is currently projected to be a high draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While a No. 1 or No. 2 overall selection is uncertain, it's not entirely out of the cards for the rising senior. The Nittany Lion has potential to be the first quarterback taken off the board, though.