ACC Quarterbacks Headline 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Living up to its reputation as the Conference of Quarterbacks, the Atlantic Coast Conference leads all leagues with 13 quarterbacks named to the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Preseason Watch List, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. announced this week.
 
The prestigious Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation’s top senior or upperclassman quarterback on track to graduate.
 
This year’s watch list features 58 of the nation’s elite signal-callers, a dynamic mix of returning standouts and emerging stars. The ACC’s 13 selections come from 13 different member schools, underscoring the league’s depth, talent and tradition at the quarterback position.
 
Seven of these 13 quarterbacks were also named to the 2025 Davey O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List.
 
ACC Players Named to the 2025 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Name, School, Class
Grayson James, Boston College, Redshirt-Senior
Cade Klubnik, Clemson, Senior
Darian Mensah, Duke, Sophomore
Tommy Castellanos, Florida State, Senior
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Senior
Miller Moss, Louisville, Senior
Carson Beck, Miami, Senior
Eli Holstein, Pitt, Redshirt-Sophomore
Kevin Jennings, SMU, Sophomore
Steve Angeli, Syracuse, Redshirt-Junior
Chandler Morris, Virginia, Senior
Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech, Redshirt-Senior
Robby Ashford, Wake Forest, Redshirt-Senior
 
As the 2025 college football season progresses, the Golden Arm Award Watch List will be narrowed to semifinalists, finalists and ultimately one standout quarterback who will be honored in December. The winner will be recognized at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Johnny Unitas’ hometown of Baltimore—an evening celebrating leadership, legacy, and excellence in college football.
 
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor achievement on and off the field. Presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, the award highlights character, leadership, and academic success alongside athletic performance.
 
New this year, the Foundation has partnered with Leveling the Playing Field (LPF), a nonprofit that expands access to youth sports by providing equipment to underserved communities. Together, the Foundation, A. O. Smith, and LPF are helping ensure the next generation of athletes and leaders have the tools and opportunities to succeed—on the field and beyond.