TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita was named to the Manning Award Watch List, as announced today by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
 
Fifita joins the Manning Award Watch List for the first time in his collegiate career. He earned Manning Star of the Week twice during the 2023 season, after a Week-9 win 27-10 over No. 20 UCLA. In that game, Fifita threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-32 passing. He earned Manning Star of the Week a second time following his single-game program record 527 yards passing in a 59-23 win over Arizona State on Nov. 25 (Week 13).
 
He adds another preseason honor to his growing list of accolades including the Manning Award, Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O'Brien Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-American, and Phil Steele Third-Team All-American.
 
Fifita posted a single-season program-best completion percentage (72.4%) in 2023. He helped the Wildcats tie a program single-season winning streak record with seven straight victories with a 38-24 win over No. 12 Oklahoma. In that game he threw for 354 yards, marking the second-most passing yards in a bowl game in program history.
 
After the 2023 season, he was named FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year for his record-setting performances.
 
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' postseason performances in its balloting. The list includes 29 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2024 season. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the postseason.
 
"The start of college football is always an exciting time of year," said Archie Manning. "There's lots of anticipation on campuses around the country and the quarterback position always draws a lot of attention and scrutiny. We hope that the Watch List for the Manning Award brings some positive attention to many of the top returning quarterbacks looking to have big years. And after we get into the season, we'll revisit things and expand our Watch List to include transfers and young quarterbacks who have started to make their marks on the game."
 
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 before the postseason and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship. 
 
"Each year it's an honor for the Allstate Sugar Bowl to partner with the Manning family to recognize outstanding achievements of quarterbacks from around the country," said Jeff Hundley, the CEO of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. "We're looking forward to another great season of college football and the opportunity to honor the nation's best quarterback in New Orleans next spring."
 
This year's Watch List includes players from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences. The Big 12 and the SEC lead the way with six selections, followed by the ACC with five. The American and the Mountain West each have three.
 
Two of last year's Manning Award finalists are included on this year's Watch List: Carson Beck (Georgia) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama).
 
Arizona opens the 2024 season against New Mexico on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. MST on ESPN at Arizona Stadium.