NEW ORLEANS, La. — University of Hawai'i sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado has been named to the preseason watch list for the Manning Award, presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

The Rainbow Warrior quarterback is one of 40 of the nation's top signal-callers named to the preseason list. Alejado is now on the watch list for a half dozen different awards, having already secured spots on the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Davey O'Brien, and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watch lists.

The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to honor the legendary college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning. Celebrating over two decades of honoring the nation's best quarterbacks, it stands uniquely as the only quarterback award that includes candidates' postseason performances in its balloting.

Alejado helped UH to a 9–4 record and a Hawai'i Bowl victory over California and finished the 2025 season throwing for 3,106 yards and a conference-leading 24 touchdowns. The Rainbow Warriors open their 2026 campaign this Saturday, Aug. 29 with a contest at Stanford. 

The official Manning Award Midseason Watch List will be released on Thursday, Nov. 5 and the ultimate winner of the 2026 Manning Award will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 27.

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