The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, along with presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation, are proud to announce the Top 10 quarterbacks for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The award honors the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback who best exemplifies character, leadership, and excellence both on and off the field.
Following the release of this season’s Top 25 list, these 10 standout quarterbacks have continued to elevate their play, leading their teams with consistency, composure, and competitive spirit. Each represents the qualities that define the legacy of Johnny Unitas — integrity, teamwork, and perseverance.
“This group has shown tremendous growth and leadership throughout the season,” said John Unitas Jr., President of the Golden Arm Educational Foundation. “They’ve proven themselves as not only outstanding quarterbacks, but as true representatives of what the Golden Arm Award stands for — excellence on the field and character off it.”
The Top 10 candidates for the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award are:
(Statistics current through October 27)
Carson Beck, Miami – Beck has led the #10 Hurricanes’ (6-1) resurgence in 2025. To date, he has completed 148 of 202 passes, the third-highest percentage (73 percent) among FBS quarterbacks.
Josh Hoover, TCU – Hoover ranks third among FBS QBs in yards (2,371) and passing touchdowns (22). Behind his leadership, the Horned Frogs have posted a 6-2 record in a Big 12 conference filled with high- caliber quarterbacks.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech – A dynamic runner as well as passer, King is third among FBS QBs in rushing yards (651), while leading the #18 Yellow Jackets to a perfect 8-0 record this season
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana – Mendoza ranks first among FBS quarterbacks in passing touchdowns (24) and QB rating (188.5) and has led the Hoosiers to an 8-0 record and their highest ranking in school history (#2).
Darian Mensah, Duke – Mensah’s performance has helped the Blue Devils (4-3) exceed expectations this season. He has thrown a school-record 17 touchdowns through the first seven games and ranks among the top quarterbacks in the nation in total yards (2,211).
Miller Moss, Louisville – Moss has led the #16 Cardinals to a 6-1 record, including a 24-21 upset of the then second-ranked Hurricanes in Miami. An efficient passer, he has completed 65 percent of his throws (158 for 243) for 10 touchdowns.
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – Pavia has set the tone for the brash Commodores, leading them to a 7-1 record and their highest ranking (#7) since 1937. He has completed 139 passes for 1,698 yards and 15 touchdowns, while rushing for 458 yards and 5 TDs.
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M – Reed’s improvement in all aspects of his game have led the #3 Aggies to an 8-0 record, including road wins at Notre Dame and LSU. Reed has passed for 1,972 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for 349 yards and 6 TDs.
Brendan Sorsby, Cincinnati – Following a season-opening loss to Nebraska, Sorsby has led the Bearcats to seven-straight wins. He’s proven to be an incredibly efficient QB, throwing only one interception while passing for 20 scores.
Gunner Stockton, Georgia – The gritty Stockton has the #5 Bulldogs (6-1) competing for another national title. A threat with his arm and legs (1,553 yards passing/279 yards rushing), he shows a strong will to win, best evidenced in a come-from-behind 43-35 win over Ole Miss.
The 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner will be announced later this year, the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony presented by A. O. Smith set to take place in Baltimore.
Sharing a tradition of innovation with Johnny Unitas—who revolutionized the game with the two-minute drill—A. O. Smith has been a leader in its field for more than a century. The company designs, builds, and supports the world’s most extensive line of residential and commercial water heaters and boilers, combining performance, reliability, and innovation.
For more information on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, visit GoldenArmAward.com or follow along on social media, using the hashtags #GoldenArmAward and #InnovationLeaders.
Golden Arm Award Partners: MedStar Sports Medicine, The Babe Ruth Museum, Comcast, Dunbar Security Solutions, Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore, Wilson, Haddock Investments, Silver Star Properties, Encore, TRAY, AE2 Creative, Jostens, Leveling the Playing Field, Yates, Wolf Professional Security, and Extraordinar Luxury Transportation.
