The redshirt sophomore at Arizona solidified his place among the best quarterbacks in college football ahead of the 2024 season by being awarded the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Wednesday. Fifita had previously secured spots on several other preseason watch lists, including All-Big XII and All-American.

Fifita was previously named to the Davey O’Brien Award Watch List, Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Athlon Sports Preseason All-American and Phil Steele Third-Team All-American, according to ArizonaWildcats.Com.

Fifita had a standout season as a redshirt freshman for Arizona in 2023, playing in 12 games with nine starts. After appearing in just three games as a true freshman in 2023, Fifita completed all eight of his pass attempts in the first three contests in 2023. Fifita had his breakout season in the fourth game of 2023 against Washington.

Fifita kept Arizona in the game against the eventual 2023 national runner-up. In his first career start, Fifita completed 27 of his 39 pass attempts for three touchdowns and an interception as Arizona forced Washington to a 31-24 loss. Arizona scored a late touchdown, but their comeback attempt against Washington failed.

Arizona lost at USC the following week after blowing a 21-0 lead, but won the final seven games of the season under Fifita’s leadership. Fifita finished the season completing 72.4 percent of his passes, an Arizona record, for 2,869 yards and 25 touchdowns. Fifita was named Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award was first introduced in 1987. Syracuse’s Don McPherson won the first award in 1987. No player has won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award twice. Alabama and Florida State led all programs with three players each winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.