Houser Named to Manning Award Watch List
August 26, 2026 | Football
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois quarterback Katin Houser has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Manning Award, released Monday by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Houser is one of 40 players on the preseason watch list, which is comprised of the top returning quarterbacks in the nation entering the 2026 season.
MANNING AWARD
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 major quarterback award that includes the candidates' postseason performances in its balloting. The recipient is selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the postseason.
- Manning Award Website
- Last three winners:
- 2025: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
- 2024: Cam Ward, Miami
- 2023: Jayden Daniels, LSU
KATIN HOUSER
- 2026 Team Captain
- 2026 Senior Bowl Top 300
- Joined the Fighting Illini in January as the No. 19 transfer QBs in the nation
- Played at Michigan State (2022-23) and East Carolina (2024-25)
- Enters 2026 with 26 career starts, tied for the 12th-most among active quarterbacks in FBS
- Threw for 6,438 yards and 43 touchdowns, plus 15 rushing touchdowns, during his first four seasons of college football
- Tallied 3,300 yards and 19 touchdowns, with just six interceptions, and a 65.9 completion percentage (269/408) in 2025 at ECU
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 24)
- Matthew Bailey – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
- Bret Bielema – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
- Hudson Clement – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300
- Brandon Henderson – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Katin Houser – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300, Manning Award
- Maika Matelau – Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award
- Jayshon Platt - Jet Award, Biletnikoff Award
- Jake Renfro – Rimington Trophy, Panini Senior Bowl Top 300, Comeback Player of the Year
- Xavier Scott – Panini Senior Bowl Top 300, Comeback Player of the Year
- Ca'Lil Valentine – Doak Walker Award
Players Mentioned
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