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Despite finishing in the top half of the conference in passing statistics and being named to the Manning Award Watch List, the Big 12 failed to recognize Skyler Howard as one of their own.
Yesterday, the Manning Award Pre-Season Watch List was announced. The list includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2016 season. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.
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.
West Virginia’s own Skyler Howard was named to the Watch List. You wouldn’t know that if you visited Big12Sports.com, the Official Athletic Site of the Big 12 Conference. On their splash page they advertised “Four Big 12 student-athletes have been named to the watch list for the 2016 Manning Award” From the article:
Four Big 12 student-athletes have been named to the watch list for the 2016 Manning Award.
The Manning Award Watch List includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2016 season. Big 12 representatives are Seth Russell (Baylor), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) and Pat Mahomes (Texas Tech).
Now wait a minute. Last time I checked, West Virginia and Skyler Howard will still a part of the Big 12 Conference. Skyler finished 5th in the conference in both passing yards (3,145) and total offense (3,647) while finishing 4th in passing touchdowns (26). Skyler enters the 2016 with a full beavy of offensive receivers who have seen Big 12 play and a senior laden offensive line.
You can see the full list here.