LSU's RUSSELL WINS MANNING AWARD
Wire
1/17/07

JaMarcus Russell was named the recipient of the Manning Award, the Sugar Bowl Committee along with the Manning Family announced on Tuesday. Russell learned of the news on Tuesday morning when Archie Manning called him with the news.

The Manning Award, given to the nation’s best quarterback, is the only quarterback award that takes into consideration the candidate’s bowl performance. This year’s finalists were: Russell, Erik Ainge (Tennessee), John David Booty (USC), Colt Brennan (Hawaii), Brian Brohm (Louisville), Chad Henne (Michigan), Chris Leak (Florida), Nate Longshore (California), Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Troy Smith (Ohio State) and Patrick White (West Virginia).

January was an unbelievable year for the rifle-arm quarterback from Mobile. Russell led LSU to a 41-14 win over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl and was named MVP of the game. Russell also saw his NFL draft status rise from the middle of the pack in the first round to a possible first pick.