Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper is one of 26 senior quarterbacks named to the preseason list of candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The award is annually presented to the top senior quarterback in the nation by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation. Established in 1987, it is named in honor of the former great Baltimore Colts quarterback.
Harper established 21 Clemson records last year when he led the Tigers to a 9-4 record and a number-21 final ranking in the AP poll. The native of Alpharetta, GA threw for 2991 yards and 27 touchdowns against just six interceptions last season. The touchdown total was a Clemson school record. Harper led the ACC in passing efficiency, the first Clemson quarterback to lead the league since 1983 (Mike Eppley).
Harper is one of just two ACC quarterbacks on the candidates list. He is joined by Virginia Tech senior Sean Glennon. The 2008 award will be presented on December 5 at the Tremont Grand Meeting and Banquet Facility in Baltimore, MD.
Previous winners of the Johnny Unitas Award include Tony Rice (Notre Dame), Charlie Ward (Florida State), Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Chris Weinke (Florida State) and Eli Manning (Mississippi).
The list of candidates for this year's award include: C.J. Bacher of Northwestern, Todd Boeckman of Ohio State, Rhett Bomar of Sam Houston State, Tom Brandstater of Fresno State, Hunter Cantwell of Louisville, Rudy Carpenter of Arizona State, Chase Clement of Rice, Chase Daniel of Missouri, Joe Ganz of Nebraska, Sean Glennon of Virginia Tech, Cullen Harper of Clemson, Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, Chase Holbrook of New Mexico State, Brian Hoyer of Michigan State, Will Hudgens of Memphis, Brian Johnson of Utah, Nate Longshore of California, Tyler Lorenzen of Connecticut, Stephen McGee of Texas A&M, Ben Olson of UCLA, Curtis Painter of Purdue, John Parker Wilson of Alabama, Mike Teel of Rutgers, Willie Tuitama of Arizona, Pat White of West Virginia, and Drew Willy of University of Buffalo.
