BALTIMORE, Md. – University of Hawai'i quarterback Brayden Schager is among 63 preseason candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as announced by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation.
 
The award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. The preseason watch list was selected by a distinguished Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, and former players.
 
Schager is one of four quarterbacks from the Mountain West selected to the watch list along with Colorado State's Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, Fresno State's Mikey Keene, and Wyoming's Andrew Peasley.
 
Last season, Schager led the Mountain West in passing yards (3,542), touchdown passes (26), points responsible for (168), and ranked No. 2 in total offense (277.3 ypg). He completed 63.2 percent of his attempts (332-of-525) and was named honorable mention all-MW.
 
The namesake of the Golden Arm Award was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played collegiately at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958.
 
In 2019, UH's Cole McDonald was a Top 20 finalist for the award. Current UH head coach Timmy Chang was a finalist in 2004 as was Colt Brennan in 2007.
 
This year's recipient will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Md., on Friday, December 6, 2024.