UCF All-America long snapper Alex Ward has been named to the watch list for the 2022 Patrick Mannelly Award that goes to the top long snapper in college football.
The award (https://patrickmannellyaward.com), named after former NFL long snapper Patrick Mannelly,
was created in 2019 and benefits Bernie's Book Bank, a non-profit organization located in Lake Bluff, Illinois.
Ward, a fifth-year player from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was one of three finalists for the award in 2021. He earned third-team All-America honors in 2021 from Phil Steele and also was selected first-team all-American Athletic Conference by Steele.
Ward is a preseason third-team All-America pick by Steele for 2022.
He graduated in December 2021 with a degree in mechanical engineering and is currently pursuing a second degree in integrated business from the College of Business Administration. He was named to the Order of Pegasus last spring, earning the most prestigious honor for any UCF student. Ward also was a dean's list selection for the spring 2022 semester.
Ten Mannelly Award semi-finalists will be announced Nov 14 and those names will be narrowed to three finalists to be announced Nov. 28. The winner will be selected at the live award ceremony in Lake Bluff on Dec. 10.
Here are UCF players who have appeared to date on watch lists for the 2022 national college football awards:
--RB Isaiah Bowser (Doak Walker and Wuerffel)
--RB Johnny Richardson (Doak Walker)
--WR Ryan O'Keefe (Biletnikoff and Hornung)
--C Matt Lee (Rimington)
--TE Kemore Gamble (Mackey)
--CB Davonte Brown (Thorpe)
--OL Lokahi Pauole (Outland)
--S Divaad Wilson (Nagurski)
--P Andrew Osteen (Guy)
--LS Alex Ward (Mannelly)
