BALTIMORE (Dec. 4, 2020) — BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has been named a top-10 candidate for the 2020 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner, A. O. Smith, narrowed its top-15 candidates to the final 10 in the hunt for the coveted annual honor. The 10 quarterbacks recognized on the list are considered among the best players in college football.
A 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior from Draper, Utah, Wilson has led BYU to a No. 8 national ranking and the program's first 9-0 start since 2001. The talented signal caller’s consistent and top-rated play in 2020 has garnered Heisman Trophy considerations in addition to being a candidate for the nation’s top quarterback.
Triggering BYU’s potent offense, Wilson ranks No. 1 nationally in points responsible for (208), No. 3 in passing touchdowns (26), No. 3 in passing efficiency (205.3), No. 3 in passing yards per attempt (11.49), No. 3 in completion percentage (.743), No. 6 in passing yards per completion (15.48), No. 7 in passing yards (2,724), No. 7 in points responsible for per game (23.1), No. 11 in passing yards per game (302.7) and No. 11 in total offense (323.9). As a team, the Cougars rank in the top 10 in 14 different statistical categories and are the only FBS team ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense (No.4; 47.6 ppg), scoring defense (No. 4; 13.9 ppg), total offense (No. 5; 535.8 ypg) and total defense (No. 6; 292.6 ypg).
Top 10 Golden Arm Award Candidates:
Ian Book, Notre Dame
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Mac Jones, Alabama
D'Eriq King, Miami
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Kellen Mond, Texas A & M
Brock Purdy, Iowa State
Kyle Trask, Florida
Zach Wilson, BYU
The Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the top upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. The semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the distinguished Golden Arm Award Selection Committee, a group of prominent football journalists, former coaches and players, general managers, commentators, announcers, and other former award recipients.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Education Foundation's charitable mission is to promote the game of football on all levels by providing financial aid to deserving young scholar athletes. The award acknowledges performance on the field, but it goes beyond completion percentage and touchdown strikes. The award values character, citizenship, integrity and those who honor the game.
In addition to honoring the top college quarterback, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., has awarded more than $750,000 in scholarships to scholar-athletes from local area high schools both in Maryland and Kentucky. During one of the most unprecedented years of youth and college athletics, the Foundation remains committed to providing scholarships and financial aid to deserving athletes through 2020.
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Golden Arm Award Season Timeline
December 11, 2020—Golden Arm Award Selection Committee to determine Top 5
December 19, 2020—Conference Championship Games
December 21, 2020—2020 Golden Arm Award Winner announcement
*Subject to change