Auburn's Bo Nix named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list

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Shanna Lockwood/AU Athletics

Auburn QB Bo Nix

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn junior Bo Nix has been named to the watch list for the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation, unveiled the 63-member watch list on Thursday.

Nix, the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2019 and one of Auburn's team captains as a sophomore in 2020, has totaled 28 touchdown passes and 14 rushing touchdowns in 24 games in his first two seasons.

The Golden Arm Award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. The semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the distinguished Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers and former players. Candidates are chosen based on player performance on-and-off the field.

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 completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

The 2021 award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award 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, Maryland, on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer