HATTIESBURG – Former Northwest and current Southern Miss quarterback Jack Abraham continues to catch the eyes of the nation entering his senior season, as the Oxford native was named to the preseason Manning Award Watch List on Thursday afternoon.

Thursday's announcement marks the third preseason honor for Abraham, who was also named third team All-Conference Usa by Phil Steele's annual magazine and fourth team All-Conference USA recognition by Athlon Sports.

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. Its watch list includes 30 of the top quarterbacks in the nation heading into the 2020 season. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.

"It sure has been a unique offseason, but we're still looking forward to the prospect of seeing a great group of quarterbacks compete this year," Archie Manning said. "Our Watch List is once again an exceptional group of candidates, but every year is a new year and we'll be watching closely to add the best newcomers to the list after we get things rolling. I'd also like to thank the Allstate Sugar Bowl for sponsoring this award; it means a lot to the entire Manning family that they include our name in recognizing the best quarterbacks in the country."

Abraham has been a solid leader for Southern Miss over the past two seasons, passing for nearly 6,000 yards with 498 completions and 34 touchdowns in 22 total games. The Oxford native helped the Golden Eagles to a 7-6 record in 2019, the team's fifth consecutive winning season and fourth bowl game over that span.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2018, Abraham led the nation with a 73.1 completion percentage, finishing slightly ahead of Washington State Heisman candidate and former Northwest quarterback Gardner Minshew (70.7). 

During his one season in Senatobia, Abraham threw for 2,949 yards and finished with 214 completions and 23 touchdown passes, leading Northwest to an 8-3 overall record, the 2017 MACJC North Division championship and an appearance in the Graphic Edge Bowl, the Rangers' third straight bowl game. Despite a gut-wrenching 67-66 2OT loss to East Mississippi in the conference championship match, Abraham posted a legendary performance with 34 completions for 487 yards and five touchdowns.

Abraham is one of four former Rangers on the 2020 roster for Southern Miss, joining tailback Kevin Perkins, receiver Demarcus Jones and fellow Northwest quarterback Jack Walker.

Northwest will have over 40 players on a Division I roster this fall. For a complete list of Rangers at the four-year level, click here.