Elisha "Eli" Manning of New Orleans, Louisiana – Mr. Manning was the number one pick of the 2004 NFL draft. In his first full season of play, Manning helped the NY Giants secure the 2005 NFC Eastern Division Title throwing 3,800 yards and 24 touchdowns. None of this is surprising given Mr. Manning’s impressive college and prep career at Ole Miss and Isidore Newman High School respectively. At Ole Miss, Manning earned numerous academic and athletic accolades including the Maxwell Award (nation’s top player), the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top senior quarterback), The Sporting News Radio Socrates Award (for excellence in academics, athletics, and citizenship), and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, the same year he led the Rebels to a SBC Cotton Bowl victory. Other recognitions include multiple appearances on the Ole Miss Chancellor’s and Dean’s Honor Rolls, the NCAA’s Today Top VIII Award (the highest honor awarded by the NCAA to student-athletes), and was a finalist for the Draddy Award (top student-athlete in the nation).
