
Clayton Thorson Invited to Manning Passing Academy
5/16/2017 2:44:00 PM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson has been invited to serve as a camp counselor at the 2017 Manning Passing Academy this summer in Thibodaux, Louisiana.
A rising redshirt junior, Thorson has won 17 games as the Wildcats' starting quarterback in two seasons and rewrote the record books during his sophomore campaign. Thorson threw for a NU sophomore-record 3,182 yards and broke the single-season record with 22 touchdown passes, capping the season with a 31-24 win over No. 23 Pittsburgh in the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to get better alongside some of the best quarterbacks in the country," Thorson said. "Peyton Manning has been someone I've looked up to my whole life. It will be a privilege to meet and work with him and the entire Manning family."
The camp, run by Archie Manning and his sons, Cooper, Eli and Peyton, will be held June 22-25 on the campus of Nicholls State University. Each year, the camp selects the most successful and brightest players and coaches from across the country to participate in the camp, now in its 22nd year of operation. Camp counselors, comprised primarily of the nation's elite college quarterbacks, assist in instruction for high school campers at offensive skill positions throughout the week.
Thorson earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors by the conference's coaches and media after ranking fourth in the Big Ten in passing yards, yards per game (244.8) and touchdowns last season. He had five three-touchdown games, becoming the first Wildcat to accomplish the feat since 2000 and his six consecutive games with at least 250 passing yards were the most by a Northwestern quarterback since 2005.
A native of Wheaton, Illinois, he already ranks seventh in school history with 29 career passing touchdowns and is 10th in program history with 4,704 passing yards.
The Wildcats open the 2017 campaign on Saturday, September 2, when they welcome Nevada to Evanston.
A rising redshirt junior, Thorson has won 17 games as the Wildcats' starting quarterback in two seasons and rewrote the record books during his sophomore campaign. Thorson threw for a NU sophomore-record 3,182 yards and broke the single-season record with 22 touchdown passes, capping the season with a 31-24 win over No. 23 Pittsburgh in the 2016 New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to get better alongside some of the best quarterbacks in the country," Thorson said. "Peyton Manning has been someone I've looked up to my whole life. It will be a privilege to meet and work with him and the entire Manning family."
The camp, run by Archie Manning and his sons, Cooper, Eli and Peyton, will be held June 22-25 on the campus of Nicholls State University. Each year, the camp selects the most successful and brightest players and coaches from across the country to participate in the camp, now in its 22nd year of operation. Camp counselors, comprised primarily of the nation's elite college quarterbacks, assist in instruction for high school campers at offensive skill positions throughout the week.
Thorson earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors by the conference's coaches and media after ranking fourth in the Big Ten in passing yards, yards per game (244.8) and touchdowns last season. He had five three-touchdown games, becoming the first Wildcat to accomplish the feat since 2000 and his six consecutive games with at least 250 passing yards were the most by a Northwestern quarterback since 2005.
A native of Wheaton, Illinois, he already ranks seventh in school history with 29 career passing touchdowns and is 10th in program history with 4,704 passing yards.
The Wildcats open the 2017 campaign on Saturday, September 2, when they welcome Nevada to Evanston.
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