ORLANDO - UCF All-America long snapper Alex Ward has been named one of three finalists for the 2022 Patrick Mannelly Award, the organization announced on Monday night. Named after former NFL long snapper Patrick Mannelly, the award benefits Bernie's Book Bank, a non-profit that provides books for underserved communities in the Chicago, Illinois, area.
This will be the fourth year the award has been presented to the top FBS snapper.
Ward 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.
A fifth-year player from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Ward was named to the 2022 Mannelly Award Preseason Watch List and was also a finalist for the award last season.
Ward 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.
The three finalists will be invited to the award presentation dinner is set for Saturday, Dec. 10 outside Chicago.