Peyton Manning was already a top prospect following his junior season and most likely would have been a top draft pick. He decided to return to school, however, and absolutely exploded onto the college scene in 1997 with 3,819 yards through the air and an amazing 37 touchdowns while being picked off just 11 times. He led his team to an 11-2 record and an SEC championship, and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting to Michigan's Charles Woodson.
Commendations received for his final college season include winning the Davey O'Brien Award, given to college football's top senior quarterback, the Johnny Unitas Award, handed out to the top quarterback overall, and the Maxwell Award, given annually to the nation's top player. Manning was also named a member of the College Football All-America Team. In addition, he was awarded the James E. Sullivan Award by the Amateur Athletic Union, which annually honors the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.
The above picture features Manning dropping back to pass during the Volunteers 30-29 win over Auburn in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia.