Redshirt junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award, it was announced on Monday. The list includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2022 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 quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting. The winner will be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Manning's.

"It's always an exciting time of year when college football gets rolling again," said Archie Manning. "We're excited to spotlight these 30 outstanding young men as Manning Award candidates based on what they've done already at their schools. And like every year, we know there will be a lot of quarterbacks who step forward during the season as their roles develop or as they settle into new teams. We plan to make additions to our Watch List by midseason."

Tagovailoa elevated Maryland's passing game to heights it has never seen before during the 2021 season. The Ewa Beach, Hawaii native completed 328 of 474 passes for 3,860 yards and 26 touchdowns while setting seven single-season program records. He shattered the single-season school records for passing yards and completions while equaling the mark for touchdowns thrown.
 
Tagovailoa became the first quarterback to start every game of a season for Maryland since C.J. Brown did so in 2014. He closed his sensational season by completing 20 of 24 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns to lead Maryland to a 54-10 rout of Virginia Tech in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Tagovailoa was named Most Valuable Player of the game after directing an offense that compiled 481 total yards and scored the most points in the history of the Pinstripe Bowl. 

To see the full watch list, click here.
 
Tagovailoa and the Terps open up their 2022 season at home on September 3 against Buffalo. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.