Nick Fitzgerald earned selections to both the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch Lists.
Fitzgerald Named to Manning and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch Lists
August 16, 2018 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald earned two preseason accolades Thursday as he was selected to watch lists for both the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation's top college quarterback. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Criteria to be considered for the award include character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. The Manning Award, which is awarded to the nation's top quarterback, is the only quarterback award that includes a candidate's bowl performance in balloting.
Returning for his senior season, Fitzgerald ranks as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to ever play in the SEC as he enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while compiling 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind just Lamar Jackson to rank second in the FBS with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald's impressive junior campaign came to a close during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl as an ankle injury sidelined the Richmond Hill, Ga., native for the remainder of the season.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation will present the award on Dec. 7. The winner of the Manning Award will be selected by a voting panel and will be announced following the completion of all bowl games.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Jace Christmann, So., K
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Manning Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gerri Green, Sr., DE
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List
Mark McLaurin, Sr., S
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Sports Illustrated Preseason All-American (Second Team)
CBS Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Deddrick Thomas, Jr., WR
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation's top college quarterback. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Criteria to be considered for the award include character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. The Manning Award, which is awarded to the nation's top quarterback, is the only quarterback award that includes a candidate's bowl performance in balloting.
Returning for his senior season, Fitzgerald ranks as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks to ever play in the SEC as he enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while compiling 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind just Lamar Jackson to rank second in the FBS with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald's impressive junior campaign came to a close during the first quarter of the Egg Bowl as an ankle injury sidelined the Richmond Hill, Ga., native for the remainder of the season.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation will present the award on Dec. 7. The winner of the Manning Award will be selected by a voting panel and will be announced following the completion of all bowl games.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Jace Christmann, So., K
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Manning Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gerri Green, Sr., DE
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List
Mark McLaurin, Sr., S
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Sports Illustrated Preseason All-American (Second Team)
CBS Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Deddrick Thomas, Jr., WR
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
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