Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award


The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually in the United States to the nation's top upperclassman quarterback in college football. Candidates are judged on accomplishments on the field as well as on their character, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities. The award was established in 1987 and named after Johnny Unitas, who was nicknamed "The Golden Arm". Unitas played his college career at the University of Louisville and set many records in the National Football League while playing for the Baltimore Colts.

Winners

These are the award recipients since inception in 1987.
YearPlayerSchoolRefs
1987Don McPhersonSyracuse
1988Rodney PeeteUSC
1989Tony RiceNotre Dame
1990Craig EricksonMiami
1991Casey WeldonFlorida State
1992Gino TorrettaMiami
1993Charlie WardFlorida State
1994Jay BarkerAlabama [Crimson Tide football|Alabama]
1995Tommie FrazierNebraska
1996Danny WuerffelFlorida
1997Peyton ManningTennessee
1998Cade McNownUCLA
1999Chris RedmanLouisville
2000Chris WeinkeFlorida State
2001David CarrFresno State
2002Carson PalmerUSC
2003Eli ManningOle Miss
2004Jason WhiteOklahoma
2005Matt LeinartUSC
2006Brady QuinnNotre Dame
2007Matt RyanBoston College
2008Graham HarrellTexas Tech [Red Raiders football|Texas Tech]
2009Colt McCoyTexas
2010Scott TolzienWisconsin
2011Andrew LuckStanford
2012Collin KleinKansas State
2013A. J. McCarronAlabama
2014Marcus MariotaOregon
2015Connor CookMichigan State
2016Deshaun WatsonClemson
2017Mason RudolphOklahoma State
2018Gardner MinshewWashington State
2019Joe BurrowLSU
2020Mac JonesAlabama
2021Kenny PickettPittsburgh
2022Max DugganTCU
2023Jayden DanielsLSU
2024Shedeur SandersColorado
2025Diego PaviaVanderbilt