DALLAS – A pair of Conference USA signal callers have been announced to the Manning Award Watch List, announced Thursday by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. FIU’s Keyone Jenkins and MTSU’s Nicholas Vattiato are among consideration for the award, which is given to the nation’s top quarterback.
 
Jenkins saw a huge jump in his production last season, completing 188-304 (61.8%) of his passes for 2,557 yards, the third-highest tally in the league. He improved his TD:INT ratio from 11:11 as a true freshman to 22:8 in his sophomore season. The Miami native led CUSA and ranked 19th in FBS in passing efficiency (151.1). Jenkins showed off his arm plenty in 2024, ranking in the top 20 nationally in yards per completion (13.60) and yards per attempt (8.41). He threw 10 touchdowns of at least 30 yards, six over 40 yards and four over 50 yards.
 
Vattiato, a redshirt senior, is coming off a season where he became just the second player in MTSU history to record multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons. The Plantation, Fla., native had 3,092 passing yards on 269 completions to go with 16 touchdowns. A CUSA All-Academic selection, Vattiato ranked 17^th nationally in completions per game (22.42), 19^th in passing yards per game (257.67) and 24^th in passing yards (3,092).
 
Inclusion on the Watch List is not necessary for the quarterbacks to be selected for the honor. Transfers and other newcomers at schools were not eligible for the preseason Watch List, but additional quarterbacks will be added to the Watch List during the season. Finalists will be selected prior to the postseason and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.