Penn State football quarterback Drew Allar was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list on Monday, which annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback in the nation.

The senior signal caller was named a finalist for the same award a season ago in the midst of his best season as a Nittany Lion. He finished 2024 with 3,327 yards, 24 touchdowns, and a career-best 66.5% completion percentage.

This is Allar’s fifth placement on preseason award watch lists, joining the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award will be condensed to semifinalists and finalists until the winner is announced at the Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore in December.

Other notable Big Ten names in contention for the award include Illinois’ Luke Altmyer, Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles, UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava, and Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis.

Allar and the Nittany Lions take the field for the first time in 2025 against Nevada at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, at Beaver Stadium.

About the Author

Oscar Orellana

Oscar is a third-year broadcast journalism student from Los Angeles. He's probably at the movies. He mostly writes about Penn State football. Email him at [email protected].

The Story Behind Penn State Football Running Back Cam Wallace

Wallace broke both of his ankles against Kent State in 2024.

Previewing The Enemy: Washington Huskies

Penn State is set to make its lone West Coast trip of the season.

Staff Predictions: Penn State vs. Washington

Woof.