ATLANTA -- Georgia State quarterback Conner Manning was named Wednesday to the preseason watch list for the 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each football season and the winner is selected based on his accomplishments both on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with his class.
Manning, a senior from Lake Forest, Calif., led the Sun Belt Conference with 268.4 passing yards per game in 2016, his first year with the program, and was named to the Sun Belt All-Newcomer team. He tied for second in the league with 16 touchdown passes (in 10 games) and second in total offense (268.1 pg). Manning passed for 2,684 yards on 207-of-373 completions in 10 games. He veraged 302.4 yards passing with 13 TD passes in his seven Sun Belt games, first in the league in both categories.
A graduate transfer, Manning earned his degree from Utah in three years and is now enrolled in graduate school, pursuing a master's in sports administration.
Manning and the Panthers open preseason practice on Aug. 1 to begin preparations for their Aug. 31 season opener, when Georgia State hosts Tennessee State in a Thursday night (7 p.m.) contest for the inaugural game at Georgia State Stadium.
