Trask Named to Manning Award Watch List

Courtesy of UF Athletic Association

Trask named among 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation

Gators quarterback Kyle Trask was named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced Thursday. Trask, who was named one of 12 finalists for the award in 2019, has now appeared in three national watch lists this preseason.

The Manvel, Texas native led the Gators to an 11-2 record in 2019 after stepping in to take over Florida’s offense at the start of the fourth quarter during UF’s victory over Kentucky. Trask finished the season with 237-of-354 passes completed (66.9%) for 2,941 yards, 25 touchdown throws, and only seven interceptions (156.09 rtg).

Trask was one of only 27 FBS quarterbacks to have at least 25 touchdown passes in 2019, while his 156.09 passer rating was the ninth-highest rating for a season in school history and the highest by a Gator since Tebow’s nation-leading 164.2 in 2009.

Regarded as one of the top returning quarterbacks in the SEC, Trask became the first Gator to record three-plus touchdown passes in consecutive outings against conference opponents since Rex Grossman in 2001 after throwing for three at LSU and following it up with a career-high four touchdowns at South Carolina.

Trask is one 30 signal-callers nationwide to make the list and one of three SEC quarterbacks, joining Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond and Auburn’s Bo Nix.

Presented annually to the top names in college football, the Manning Award honors the college accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, and it’s the only quarterback award that takes into account the candidates’ bowl performance in addition to the regular season.

The 2020 Manning Award winner will be selected after the bowls by a voting panel, which includes national media members, and each of the Mannings.

Trask’s appearance on the Manning Award Watch List is the 10th among Florida players this preseason.