NEW ORLEANS – When Drew Plitt joined the Ball State football team in 2016, he was listed as the team's fourth string quarterback. Fast forward to 2020 and now the redshirt senior is one of 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation to be named to the preseason Manning Award Watch List.
The Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, was created to honor 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. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.