USC's Kedon Slovis, Drake Jackson, Keaontay Ingram, K.D. Nixon Named To More Awards Watch Lists

LOS ANGELES — USC junior quarterback Kedon Slovis has been named to the 2021 Watch List for the Manning Award, presented to the nation's top quarterback after the bowls. It is sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Trojan junior outside linebacker Drake Jackson was named to the 2021 Watch List for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top offensive or defensive lineman by the Rotary Club of Houston.

Running back Keaontay Ingram and wide receiver K.D. Nixon, both spring transfers, have been named to the 2021 Watch Lists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which recognizes the top offensive player who is from Texas. It is presented by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.

Earlier this month, Slovis made the Watch Lists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award (college football's outstanding player) and the Davey O'Brien Award (the nation's top quarterback). Jackson previously was named to the Watch Lists for the Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Nagurski Award (top defensive player) and Butkus Award (top linebacker). Ingram previously made the Watch List for the Doak Walker Award (top running back).

Finalists for the Manning Award—created in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning—will be selected prior to the 2021 post-season and the winner will be announced following the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Lombardi Award semifinalists will be announced on Oct. 13 and the finalists on Nov. 9. The winner will be named on Dec. 8.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award will announce semifinalists in November and finalists in December, with the winner named on Jan. 12.

Slovis, a 2-year starter, was the All-Pac-12 first team signalcaller last fall when he topped the nation in completions (29.5) and was in the Top 20 in passing yards (320.2), total offense (310.7) and completion percentage (.670). In 2020, he calmly led the Trojans to a trio of comeback victories in the games' final 2 minutes and he twice threw 5 TDs in a game. In his career, he has hit 70% — above the school record — of his 656 passes for 5,423 yards with 47 TDs and 16 interceptions to rank ninth on USC's all-time completions list and 10th in total offense.

Jackson is one of the nation's most dominant pass rushers. He had 20 tackles last season, including 5.5 for losses (with a sack), and an interception. In his career, he had made 17 tackles for loss (with 7.5 sacks).

Ingram transferred to USC this spring from Texas, where in his 3 seasons he rushed for 1,811 yards and 11 TDs and caught 67 passes with 6 scores. Last fall, he ran for 250 yards on 53 carries (4.7 avg) with 1 TD and had 11 receptions for 103 yards (9.4 avg) with 1 TD.

Nixon transferred to USC from Colorado this spring. He caught 104 passes for 1,250 yards with 7 TDs in his 4-year Buffalo career while starting 23 times and he also returned 33 kickoffs for a 23.0 average. He ranks in CU's all-time Top 20 in receptions, receiving yards, kickoff returns and kickoff return yardage. His 96-yard scoring catch against Nebraska in 2019 set a school record.