Hansen Named to Mannelly Award Watch List

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois long snapper Lane Hansen has been named to the preseason watch list for the Patrick Mannelly Award.

Hansen, a senior entering his fourth season as the Fighting illini's starting long snapper, is one of 30 players on the preseason watch list as a candidate to recognized as the best in NCAA Division I FBS.    

The Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper Award shines a bright light on this unnoticed but essential position in football and provides rare recognition for the impactful role they play in today's game. The award, created in 2019, benefits Bernie's Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois.

• Patrick Mannelly Award Website
• Last three winners:
  • 2024: Rocco Underwood, Florida
  • 2023: Joe Shimko, NC State
  • 2022: Chris Stoll, Penn State

• 2024 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
• Three-Time Academic All-Big Ten (2022, 2023 & 2024)
• 35 consecutive starts at long snapper for the Fighting Illini since Week 5 of the 2022 season
• Has helped Illinois convert 86/90 PATs (.956), 49/59 FGs (.831), and just one blocked punt in 97 attempts combined over the last three seasons.

• Luke Altmyer – Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year
• Hank Beatty – Paul Hornung Award
• J.C. Davis – Outland Trophy
• Lane Hansen – Patrick Mannelly Award
• Gabe Jacas – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy
• Kenenna Odeluga – Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
• Xavier Scott – Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award