ATHENS, Ga — Georgia star quarterback and back-to-back champion Stetson Bennett has been named the winner of the 2022 Manning Award, which goes to the best quarterback in the nation.
Bennett, 25, played a pivotal role in leading Georgia to back-to-back College Football Playoff National Championships, against Alabama in 2022 and against TCU in 2023.
“We started the Manning Award 19 years ago as a way to recognize the country’s top quarterback for the full season, including the postseason,” said Archie Manning. “I’m not sure we’ve ever had an honoree who showcased his ability and proved his worth all the way through the postseason like Stetson did this year. We’re thrilled to recognize him as this year’s Manning Award winner.
Congratulations to UGA QB Stetson Bennett on winning the 2022 Manning Award as top quarterback in the nation pic.twitter.com/yLRbNeGNB0
— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) January 23, 2023
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The Manning award, named after the historic football family, factors in candidates’ bowl and playoff performances in its balloting, unlike most awards. The award is voted on by a panel of local and national media, as well as each of the Mannings.
In three postseason games this season, Bennett passed for 976 yards and 11 touchdowns while also running for three scores and only tallying one interception. For the full season, he threw for 4,127 yards and 27 touchdowns to go with a team-best 10 rushing TDs.
RELATED STORIES:
- ‘Just playing some tunes:’ Stetson Bennett responds to fans who criticized him during UGA parade
- What’s next for Stetson Bennett? Analyst says whatever he wants!
- Georgia QB Stetson Bennett named Heisman finalist
In his collegiate career, Bennett passed for 8,428 yards and 66 touchdowns, despite only starting for two full seasons. He ranks in the top five in Georgia history in pass completions, passing yards, passing touchdowns, total offense, completion percentage, and average yards per play. Most impressively, he posted a 29-3 record as the Bulldog starting quarterback.
Other finalists for this year’s award were Max Duggan, Sam Hartman, Hendon Hooker from Tennessee, Drake Maye from North Carolina, Bo Nix from Oregon, Michael Penix, Jr. from Washington, Will Rogers from Mississippi State, C.J. Stroud from Ohio State, Caleb Williams from USC and Bryce Young from Alabama.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2022 Cox Media Group
