The committee for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has announced 15 finalists for the 2026 season. High-profile quarterbacks like Arch Manning and Drew Mestheimer are among the top candidates for the honor .
Arch Manning's undefeated start with the Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have maintained a perfect 4-0 record this season, driven in large part by the play of Arch Manning. According to the report, Manning has helped lead the No. 1 ranked Longhorns through significant wins, including a narrow 24-23 victory over No. 1 Ohio State.
Manning's season has been defined by both efficiency and mobility. The report notes that the player, described as a 16-year-old star, has recorded 73 completions on 115 attempts with seven touchdowns. His recent performance against Tennessee included 14 completions on 19 attempts for 201 yards, helping to cement his status as a premier candidate.
Drew Mestheimer's Big 12 dominance and 19-game yardage streak
Oklahoma State transfer Drew Mestheimer has emerged as a primary contender by leading the Power 4 in yards per game. As reported by the source, Mestheimer currently holds the No. 2 spot in FBS passing yards per game and ranks second in total offense.
Mestheimer's consistency is underscored by a 19-game streak of surpassing 200 passing yards, which is the longest active streak in the nation. This production helped Oklahoma State secure a 42-28 win over UCF during their 2-0 start in conference play, drawing significant attention from NFL scouts looking toward the 2027 draft.
CJ Carr and the high-performing Notre Dame contingent
Notre Dame's CJ Carr has also entered the national conversation with highly efficient play. The report states that Carr has posted a 71% completion rate,1,197 passing yards, and 13 touchdowns, earning a 92.0 grade from the PFF Colleges analytic platform.
This level of precision places Carr among the most technically sound quarterbacks in the country. He joins a field of elite talent that includes Gunner Stockton, Dante Moore , Julian Sayin, and Demond Williams Jr., all of whom represent the diverse play-making abilities being monitored by the committee as the season progresses toward the December presentation in Baltimore.
The debate over character versus statistical production
While the current leaders are defined by their yardage and touchdowns, the final outcome remains an open question. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award committee evaluates candidates based on character, leadership, sportsmanship, academic achievement, and citizenship in addition to on-field statistics.
This multi-faceted approach means that statistical dominance is not a guaranteed path to victory. It remains unclear how much weight the committee will give to the massive statistical output of players like Mestheimer compared to the holistic character metrics. Whether the award favors the most prolific passer or the most well-rounded student-athlete will not be known until the ceremony in Baltimore.
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