Matt Corral named Finalist for 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral has been named one of the five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the top college upperclassman quarterback in the nation.
The annual competition has been narrowed from an original field of 64 to the five finalists. Named after the man many refer to as the greatest quarterback ever to play the game of football, the prestigious Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the top upperclassman QB set to graduate with his class.
Corral has completed 206 of 309 passes for 2,774 yards (67% completion rate), throwing for 27 touchdowns with just two interceptions.
He leads the SEC and is No. 4 nationally in QB rushing touchdowns (10), and is No. 2 in the league and 10th nationally in total offense. He is responsible for 170 points, making him 3rd in the SEC and 14 nationally in that category. Additionally, Corral has thrown a touchdown pass in 21 of his last 22 games.
In addition to Corral, the remaining Golden Arm Award candidates include:
Sam Hartman, Wake Forest
Devin Leary, NC State
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Desmond Ridder, Cincinnati
Here’s a video of the top five finalists:
The 2021 award winner will be presented the trophy by The Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas, Jr., at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, MD on Friday, December 10, 2021. Additionally, the first-ever winner of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Don McPherson, will be in attendance giving the opening remarks.
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Congratulations to Matt and all the candidates. Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Ole Miss Athletics)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
