Aug. 17, 2009

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Baylor sophomore quarterback Robert Griffin III is one of 38 student-athletes on the initial watch list for the 2009 Manning Award, announced Monday by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Manning Award, now in its fifth year, is given annually to the nation's top collegiate quarterback.

A 2008 Freshman All-America selection and the 2008 Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year, Griffin is one of the nation's top duel-threat quarterbacks. He passed for 2,091 yards and 15 touchdowns with only three interceptions last season; he also rushed for 843 yards and 13 scores as a freshman. Along the way, Griffin established an NCAA Bowl Subdivision record for consecutive pass attempts without an interception to start a career (209).

Griffin is one of seven quarterbacks from the Big 12 Conference, joining Austen Arnaud (Iowa State), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M), Colt McCoy (Texas), Todd Reesing (Kansas) and Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State).

A product of Copperas Cove [Texas] High School, Griffin is one of only six sophomores on the list, joining Austin Davis (Southern Mississippi), Ryan Lindley (San Diego State), Kellen Moore (Boise State), Terrelle Prior (Ohio State) and Russell Wilson (North Carolina State).

Griffin also is on the preseason watch lists for the Davey O'Brien Award and the Maxwell Award; he was named preseason All-Big 12 by Phil Steele's and was named the Big 12's "Best Athlete" by The Sporting News.

Ten semifinalists for the Manning Award will be announced Nov. 30. The 2009 Manning Award winner will be presented Jan. 14, 2010.