Fredi Knighten Makes Manning Award Watch List

 

JONESBORO, Ark. – The 2015 preseason accolades continue to roll in for Arkansas State senior quarterback Fredi Knighten, who was most recently named Thursday afternoon as one of 30 quarterbacks across the nation on the Manning Award Watch List.

Created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, the Manning Award will be presented to the nation’s top quarterback after the conclusion of this season’s bowl games on Jan. 13.  It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ bowl performances in its balloting.

Knighten is the third A-State student-athlete to find a place on the award’s watch list since it was created in 2004, joining Ryan Aplin in 2012 and Corey Leonard in 2009.  Knighten has also been named to the 2015 watch lists for the Davey O’Brien, Wuerffel Trophy, Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards.

Recently named the Sun Belt Conference preseason first team quarterback, Knighten ranked among the top 50 players in the nation in 12 statistical categories as a junior in 2014.  He posted 4,056 yards total offense last season, which were the second most in school history and third most ever by a Sun Belt Conference player.  His 312.0 yards per game was the 12th highest average in the nation. 

The Little Rock, Ark., native holds 25 “top-10” school records for single game, season and career performances combined.  He has been tabbed first team preseason All-Sun Belt Conference by Lindy’s, ESPN and Sporting News, while also being tabbed the league’s “Most Valuable Player” by Lindy’s.

In addition to the Manning Award’s yearly honor, each week during the regular season, eight quarterbacks are recognized as Manning Quarterbacks of the Week. Sixty-two players from 58 different schools were honored during the 2014 season, including Knighten on Oct. 13. 

Knighten and the A-State football team will kickoff the 2015 season Sept. 5 at USC, while the Red Wolves will play their first home game a week later on Sept. 12 when they host Missouri at Centennial Bank Stadium.

fredi knighten

 

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