The preseason accolades continue to roll in for the Penn State Nittany Lions
, and especially for their new QBRocco Becht. After all, when you're the most experienced quarterback returning in all of college football, chances are the hype surrounding you will be high. In Becht's first season in the Big Ten, he will be immediately faced with new tests. But as these preseason watch lists prove, anything is possible.Becht's latest preseason achievement has him on the prestigious Manning Award watch list, given to the best quarterback in college football. Created to encapsulate the legacy of the Manning family and their impact on the college football world, it is indicative of a QB's full season performance, where the postseason comes into play unlike
other awards. For Becht, should he win, it would be a landmark achievement for both him an the program. No Nittany Lions has taken home the award, despite both Drew Allar and Sean Clifford being nominated for it.
This will almost certainly be Becht's most difficult season yet, but the QB is ready to bring all the requisite experience he gained with the Cyclones to the Big Ten. He left Iowa State ranked in the top 10 in almost every single meanignful statistical category for a quarterback: passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and even rushing yards for a QB, where he ranks first in program history.
The accolades should not be Becht's main focus, as the Nittany Lions have a unique chance to be a special team. Still, nothing they achieve should be taken for granted, and no matter what the preseason may say about the potential of these players, their performance on the field is what matters most of all. Any awards won will be an addeed bonus for Becht and Co. And who knows? Maybe those awards will come with some prestigious trophies as well.
This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State QB Rocco Becht named to Manning watch list
