Texas Tech junior Patrick Mahomes II was one of 30 quarterbacks named to the Manning Award watch list Monday morning in an announcement by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
 
Mahomes, who is now a member of six watch lists entering the 2016 season, was also a 2015 candidate for the Manning Award which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate quarterback.
 
Mahomes, a native of Whitehouse, Texas, was added to the Manning Award watch list midway through his sophomore campaign where he emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. Mahomes recorded over 5,000 yards of total offense in 2015, making him the youngest quarterback in FBS history and the 13th signal caller all-time to reach that mark.
 
His 4,653 passing yards mark the most nationally for a returning quarterback entering the 2016 season. Mahomes, who also rushed for another 456 yards on the ground, led the country in total offense per game (393.0) a year ago and also ranked fourth in passing yards per game (357.9).
 
Behind Mahomes, the Red Raiders averaged 45.1 points per game, the highest single-season mark in school history. Tech was the only school in a power-five conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, SEC) and one of just two nationally to score at least 25 points in every game of the season.
 
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl 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 the balloting.
 
The Allstate Sugar Bowl will announce midseason additions to the watch list on Oct. 12 before trimming the group down to 10 finalists on Nov. 30. The Manning Award winner will be announced on Jan. 11.
 
In addition to the Manning Award, Mahomes is also a preseason candidate for the Johnny Unitas, Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards as well as the AFCA Good Works Team and the Wuerffel Trophy, both of which that are community-service relative honors.
 
The Red Raiders open the 2016 season in less than 20 days when Tech hosts Stephen F. Austin inside Jones AT&T Stadium. Season tickets as well as single-game passes and mini-plans are still on sale and can be purchased online or by contacting the Texas Tech Ticket Office at 806-742-TECH.
 
(COURTESY: Texas Tech Sports Information Department)