UAB QB Ryder Burton named finalist for weekly Manning Award

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Just days after making his first career start in UAB’s win over Memphis, Ryder Burton is up for a national award.

The Manning Award is given weekly to the top performing quarterback in college football.

Burton completed 20 passes for 257 yard and three touchdowns while leading the Blazers to their first win over an AP Top 25 team since 2021 and first win over rival Memphis since 2011.

His performance Saturday was the most passing yards by a UAB quarterback in his first career start since Bryson Lucero in 2020.

UAB interim head coach Alex Mortensen spoke highly of his quarterback after Saturday’s game, noting his confidence, courage and toughness.

As a Manning Award Star of the Week, Burton is now up for the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, along with Utah’s Bryson Burnes, James Madison’s Alonza Barnett, III, UConn’s Joe Fagnano, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Louisville’s Miller Moss, Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton.

Fans will decide which of the eight will win by way of a fan vote at allstatesugarbowl.org.

Voting will close at 9 a.m. Wednesday and the winner will be announced on the Manning Award’s social media.

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