AUSTIN, Texas – Shane Buechele , Texas' true freshman quarterback, was added to the 2016 watch list for the Manning Award on Wednesday morning, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced. Buechele, a native of Arlington, Texas, was one of 10 quarterbacks added to the list.



Buechele has impressed just five games into his first season on the 40 Acres, as he has already passed for a true freshmen-record 1,204 yards and 11 touchdowns. Buechele became the first true freshman quarterback since 1944 to start a season opener at Texas and was the first true freshman in school history to start at least the first two games of his career.



In the season opener against Notre Dame, Buechele passed for a true freshmen-record 280 yards and was named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week following the 50-47 double overtime win. The following week, Buechele set a UT true freshmen-record with four touchdown passes against UTEP and was once again named Big 12 Conference Newcomer of the Week. Against Oklahoma this past week, Buechele's 245 passing yards were the third-most by a UT freshman in the game, while his three touchdown passes were tied for the most ever against the Soooners by a Longhorn QB.



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. The winner will be announced in January at a ceremony in New Orleans.