Wilson named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15

THE JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM SELECTION COMMITTEE NARROWS WATCH LIST TO TOP 15

BALTIMORE (Nov. 13, 2020) — BYU quarterback Zach Wilson has been named one of the top-15 candidates for the 2020 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner, A. O. Smith, narrowed its original 2020 Watch List on Friday to its Top 15 remaining in the hunt for the coveted annual honor.

A junior from Draper, Utah, Wilson has led BYU to a No. 8 national ranking with a perfect 8-0 record this season while totaling 2,512 passing yards. The talented signal caller leads the nation in total points responsible for with 184 while ranking tied for No. 1 nationally in passing touchdowns (22) and rushing scores (8) among quarterbacks.

Among his many top ratings, Wilson also ranks No. 2 in passing yards (2,512), No. 4 in completion percentage (.751) and No. 5 in pass efficiency (201.6). When considering efficiency ratings of players who have played in more than one game, Wilson is in elite company, forming an efficiency top three with fellow Golden Arm Award and Heisman hopefuls Justin Fields of Ohio State (222.4) and Mac Jones of Alabama (210.3).

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.

Top 15 Golden Arm Award Candidates:

Ian Book, Notre Dame
Shane Buechele, SMU
Sam Ehlinger, Texas
Justin Fields, Ohio State
Feleipe Franks, Arkansas
Mac Jones, Alabama
D'Eriq King, Miami
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Kellen Mond, Texas A & M
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Brock Purdy, Iowa State
Zac Thomas, Appalachian State
Kyle Trask, Florida
Brady White, Memphis
Zach Wilson, BYU

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
November 23, 2020
Golden Arm Award Selection Committee to determine Top 10

December 7, 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