SAN MARCOS, Texas – As one of the top quarterbacks in not only the Sun Belt but the entire country, TJ Finley of Texas State was named to the 2023 Manning Award Watch List as a midseason addition, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Thursday.
 
Finley is one of 15 midseason additions to the 2023 Manning Award Watch List, which originally stood at 33 prior to the season starting. The Manning Award is given to the nation's top quarterback.
 
In his first season as a Bobcat, Finley has thrown for 1,941 yards and 14 touchdowns on a 68.9 completion percentage (153-of-222) in seven games. He also has three rushing touchdowns.
 
A native of Ponchatoula, La., Finley currently leads the Sun Belt in passing yards, passing touchdowns, passing efficiency, and points responsible for. The redshirt sophomore is also 10th in the country in passing yards, 18th in passing touchdowns, 21st in passing efficiency, and 34th in total offense.
 
Finley, who transferred to Texas State from Auburn, is one of five quarterbacks from the Sun Belt on the watch list as he is joined by Jordan McCloud (JMU), Carter Bradley (South Alabama), Darren Grainer (Georgia State), and Grayson McCall (Coastal Carolina).
 
Finley was named a Manning Award Star of the Week – as well as the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week – after helping lead the Bobcats to a 42-31 win over Baylor in the season opener.
 
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' bowl performances in its balloting.
 
Finalists will be determined by a select panel of national media covering football, as well each of the Mannings. That list will be released on Nov. 30 and the winner is scheduled to be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship.
 
Texas State is on its bye week and will return to action on Oct. 28 when it faces Troy at Bobcat Stadium in a matchup between the top-two teams in the Sun Belt West Division.
 
2023 Manning Award Watch List Midseason Additions

• Drew Allar, Penn State
• Carson Beck, Georgia
• Brady Cook, Missouri
• J.T. Daniels, Rice
• Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
• TJ Finley, Texas State
• Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
• Mikey Keene, Fresno State
• Jordan McCloud, James Madison
• Kyle McCord, Ohio State
• Jalen Milroe, Alabama
• Kaidon Salter, Liberty
• Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
• DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State
• Tyler Van Dyke, Miami (FL)