DALLAS (FWAA) — Penn State’s Alex Manske is this week’s nominee for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Manske, a redshirt freshman quarterback, underwent open heart surgery this past spring but returned to the playing field for the Nittany Lions, with a nine-inch scar across his chest.
"I don't really notice it too much anymore," Manske told the York Daily Record in August. "When I look at it, though, I just think of it was tough going through it, but I'm just thankful (doctors were) able to find it. I'm thankful for Penn State to be able to do the testing. If I didn't find it, you never know what could’ve happened.”
Manske underwent an echocardiogram shortly after arriving to Penn State from Iowa State this past winter, part of routine testing. Despite no prior symptoms, he was told in February that he had a dilated aortic root and a dilated ascending aorta, leading to surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
He had surgery on March 16 and spent five days in the hospital. He recovered at his parents’ house in Algona, Iowa and went through cardiac rehab.
Manske returned to throwing about three months after surgery, and he was cleared to practice during fall camp in August.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder earned the backup quarterback job entering the season, and he appeared in all three of Penn State’s nonconference games, completing 9 of 14 passes for 102 yards while rushing for 14 yards.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 400 members that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2026 CFP Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 14, 2027. For more information about Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
All-Time FWAA Courage Award Recipients
2025 Alex McPherson, Auburn
2024 Tylee Craft, North Carolina
2023 Mike Hollins, Virginia
2022 Cam McCormick, Oregon
2021 Utah Team
2020 Alex Charlton, Arkansas State
2019 Blake Anderson, Arkansas State
2018 Kyle Richard, SUNY-Cortland
2017 D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin
2016 James Conner, Pitt
2015 Hunter Knighton, Miami
2014 Laken Tomlinson, Duke
2013 Anthony Larceval, San Jose State
2012 Daniel Rodriguez, Clemson
2011 Arthur Ray Jr., Michigan State
2010 Eric LeGrand, Rutgers
2009 Connecticut Team
2008 Wilson Holloway, Tulsa
2007 Zerbin Singleton, Navy
2006 Ray Ray McElrathbey, Clemson
2005 Tulane Team
2004 Haracio Colen, Memphis
2003 Neil Parry, San Jose State
2002 William Bratton, Toledo
To submit a nomination for the 2026 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.