Houston QB Donovan Smith was named to the Manning Award preseason watch list on Thursday. The Cougars’ senior leader enters the 2024 season as one of 11 active Power 4 quarterbacks with over 5,000 passing yards and over 40 passing TDs at the Power 5 level since 2021.

Smith took over the starting role after transferring from Texas Tech in 2023. His arrival in Houston was a significant moment for the Cougars as they moved to the Big 12 Conference and looked to make an impact with an experienced and versatile quarterback at the helm.

This prestigious award is named after Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning and is unique in that the final voting takes into account the candidates’ performance in the postseason. A panel of national media and members of the Manning family selects the winner.

Archie Manning expressed excitement about the upcoming season, emphasizing the focus on quarterbacks and the impact they have on the game. “There is a lot of anticipation on campuses across the country, and the quarterback position always draws a lot of attention and criticism,” Manning said in a statement.

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“We hope the Manning Award watch list brings positive attention to many of the best returning quarterbacks who have big years ahead of them. And once the season begins, we’ll revisit things and expand our watch list to include transfer players and young quarterbacks who have already begun to make their mark on the game.”

The list includes eight FBS conferences, with the Big 12 and SEC leading with six selections each, followed by the ACC with five. Notably, two of last year’s finalists, Carson Beck (Georgia) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama), are back on the list, setting the stage for another competitive season.