University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ quarterback Micah Alejado has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The award recognizes the nation¡¯s top quarterback who demonstrates excellence both on and off the field by promoting strong character, citizenship, and academic commitment.
The Rainbow Warrior signal-caller is one of 27 collegiate quarterbacks selected to this year’s highly selective watch list. He is also just one of six quarterbacks outside of the Power Four to be recognized and the lone Mountain West representative on the list.
In his starting debut as a Rainbow Warrior in the 2024 regular season, Alejado threw for a record 469 yards and five touchdowns versus New Mexico. He carried over the success in the 2025 campaign when he threw for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns while earning all-conference honors.
For the 2026 season, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. refined its eligibility criteria to better reflect the changing landscape of college football. To be eligible, quarterbacks must play at the FBS level, meet NCAA eligibility requirements, have at least three years of college football experience, have no more than five years of college enrollment, and have played for no more than two college programs. The refined standards aim to spotlight quarterbacks who have demonstrated sustained commitment and experience at the collegiate level.
The watch list will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists as the 2026 season unfolds. The winner of the 2026 Golden Arm Award will be announced in December and celebrated at the annual ceremony in Baltimore on December 9.
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