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Football

Hiers Named to Manning Award Preseason Watch List

NEW ORLEANS – Samford Senior quarterback Michael Hiers was named to the Manning Award Watch List, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced on Tuesday morning. 
 
Hiers is one of 33 quarterbacks to be named to the list heading into the 2023 season and is the only signal caller from the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). 
 
The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting.
 
Along with being named to the Manning Award Watch List, Hiers has been named to the Walter Payton Watch List and has been labeled All-American by Athlon Sports, Hero Sports, Phil Steele and Stats Perform along with being tabbed as the Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. 
 
Hiers was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after leading the Bulldogs to an 11-2 overall record and a perfect 8-0 mark in SoCon play. The 2022 team won the program's first outright SoCon title and reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I-FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1991.
   
Individually in 2022, Hiers passed for a SoCon-best 3,544 yards and 36 touchdowns to tie Devlin Hodges' single-season school record that he set in 2016. Hiers ranked in the top 10 nationally in completion percentage (76.6%/1st), completions per game (27.15/3rd), passing efficiency (165.2/8th), passing touchdowns (36/4th), passing yards (3,544/6th), points responsible for (2,234/6th) and points responsible per game (18/7th) for the 2022 season.
   
In addition to his SoCon Offensive Player of the Year honor, Hiers was named second team All-American by Stats Perform and third team by the Associated Press following the 2022 season.
 
Inclusion on the Watch List is not necessary for the quarterbacks to be selected for the honor. Transfers and other newcomers at schools were not eligible for the preseason Watch List, but additional quarterbacks will be added to the Watch List during the season. Finalists will be selected prior to the postseason and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff National Championship. The winner will again be selected by a voting panel, which includes national media and each of the Mannings, after the bowls.
 
Looking to defend its SoCon title, Samford opens the 2023 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Seibert Stadium against Shorter. Season tickets can be purchased here. 
 
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 For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter). 
 
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Players Mentioned

Michael Hiers

#10 Michael Hiers

QB
6' 1"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Michael Hiers

#10 Michael Hiers

6' 1"
Junior
QB