CHARLOTTE, NC (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference led the way with 13 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list for the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, announced the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. along with primary sponsor AO Smith Corporation. This season’s list recognizes 63 of the nation’s top quarterbacks representing all 10 FBS conferences as well as independent football.
The award is given each year to the best quarterback of his or her class who is graduating from high school or the senior year.
The ACC, which had the most quarterbacks on the roster of any conference, was represented by Boston College’s Thomas Castellanos, Stanford’s Ashton Daniels, Virginia Tech’s Kyron Drones, Georgia Tech’s Haynes King, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, NC State’s Grayson McCall, Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, California’s Fernando Mendoza, Louisville’s Tyler Shough, SMU’s Preston Stone, Florida State’s DJ Uiagalelei, Miami’s Cam Ward and Pitt’s Nate Yarnell.
The preseason watch list, semifinalists, finalists and award winners are selected by the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers and former players.
The Golden Arm Award’s namesake has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year NFL veteran who played his college career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing numbers include 2,830 completed passes for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns, and one touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
This year’s honoree will receive the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Bringing their commitment to giving back to life, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and its primary sponsor AO Smith continue to promote football at all levels by providing financial assistance to deserving young athletes.
ACC representatives on the preseason watch list for the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award:
- Thomas Castellanos, Boston College, junior, QB
- Fernando Mendoza, Cal, redshirt sophomore, QB
- Cade Klubnik, Clemson, junior, QB
- DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State, redshirt senior, QB
- Haynes King, Georgia Tech, redshirt junior, QB
- Tyler Shough, Louisville, redshirt senior, QB
- Cam Ward, Miami, Senior, QB
- Grayson McCall, NC State, graduate student, QB
- Nate Yarnell, Pitt, redshirt junior, QB
- Preston Stone, SMU, redshirt junior, QB
- Ashton Daniels, Stanford, junior, QB
- Kyle McCord, Syracuse, senior, quarterback
- Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech, redshirt junior, QB
ACC Football Notes
- The ACC is the conference of quarterbacks, with the return of full-time starters Thomas Castellanos of Boston College, Cade Klubnik of Clemson, Grayson Loftis of Duke, Haynes King of Georgia Tech, Preston Stone of SMU and Kyron Drones of Virginia Tech, as well as transfers DJ Uiagalelei of Florida State, Tyler Shough of Louisville, Cam Ward of Miami, Grayson McCall of NC State and Kyle McCord of Syracuse, to name a few.
- Thirteen quarterbacks from the ACC were on the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, more than from any other conference.
- ACC had 10 quarterbacks on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, no other conference had more.
- Eight ACC quarterbacks were named to the preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, more than any other conference.
- ACC has the top-ranked group of quarterback transfers in 2024, according to CBS Sports.
- 13 quarterbacks in the league will start the 2024 season with over 20 touchdown passes and 3,500 passing yards.
- Eight quarterbacks from ACC schools are expected to start in the first week of the 2024 NFL season – that’s 25 percent of NFL teams.
- Since 2018, the ACC has had at least one quarterback selected in the first round in five different drafts – the only conference to do so.
- The ACC’s non-conference schedule continues to be the most demanding in the country.
- 27 games against Power 4 opponents, including Notre Dame, the most of any conference.
- Nine non-conference games against teams ranked in the final 2023 Associated Press Top 25 poll, more than from any other conference.
- 10 non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2024 Way-Too-Early Top 25, the most of any conference.
- ACC is characterized by first-class coaching management
- As announced by the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation and the Peach Bowl, six ACC head coaches were named to the 2024 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List; no other conference has more.
- Two of the three active coaches to win a national title come from the ACC – Dabo Swinney led Clemson to national titles in 2016 and 2018. North Carolina’s Mack Brown won a national title at Texas in 2005.
- The 2024 ACC Football Championship Game will kick off on Saturday, December 7, in prime time at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
About the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually to the nation’s best college football quarterback. Candidates are judged on their performance on the field as well as their character, academic achievements and leadership qualities. The award was established in 1987 and named after Johnny Unitas, nicknamed “The Golden Arm.” Unitas played his college career at the University of Louisville and set many National Football League records while playing for the Baltimore Colts.
