Williams Adds Golden Arm Award Watch List To Honors
August 19, 2026 | Football
SEATTLE – Washington's Demond Williams Jr. has been tabbed to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. announced today.
There are 27 quarterbacks named to the preseason watch list, five of which are from the Big Ten. Williams Jr. was also named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list earlier this summer.
The Golden Arm Award continues to recognize quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation. The Foundation's mission is to promote the game of football while cultivating strong character, citizenship and academic commitment among young athletes.
Williams Jr. started in every game during the 2025 season and has appeared in every game throughout his two seasons on Montlake. The third-year quarterback earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the coaches last season after compiling 3,065 yards, 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and was named the Offensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl. He was also second on the team in rushing with 611 yards and six touchdowns. The 611 rushing yards were the third-most by a UW quarterback in program history. Williams Jr. finished the season 246-for-354 in completions which ranks second in Husky history.
Eligible quarterbacks for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award must play at the FBS level, meet NCAA eligibility requirements, and have at least three years of college football experience. Players may have no more than five years of college enrollment and must have played for no more than two college programs. Eligibility is based on a player's years in college, not their listed class year.
As the 2026 college football season unfolds, the Watch List will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists before one standout quarterback is selected to receive the Golden Arm Award in December. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore on December 9.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
There are 27 quarterbacks named to the preseason watch list, five of which are from the Big Ten. Williams Jr. was also named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list earlier this summer.
The Golden Arm Award continues to recognize quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation. The Foundation's mission is to promote the game of football while cultivating strong character, citizenship and academic commitment among young athletes.
Williams Jr. started in every game during the 2025 season and has appeared in every game throughout his two seasons on Montlake. The third-year quarterback earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the coaches last season after compiling 3,065 yards, 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and was named the Offensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl. He was also second on the team in rushing with 611 yards and six touchdowns. The 611 rushing yards were the third-most by a UW quarterback in program history. Williams Jr. finished the season 246-for-354 in completions which ranks second in Husky history.
Eligible quarterbacks for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award must play at the FBS level, meet NCAA eligibility requirements, and have at least three years of college football experience. Players may have no more than five years of college enrollment and must have played for no more than two college programs. Eligibility is based on a player's years in college, not their listed class year.
As the 2026 college football season unfolds, the Watch List will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists before one standout quarterback is selected to receive the Golden Arm Award in December. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony in Baltimore on December 9.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
P
/ Football
OL
/ Football
PK
/ Football
QB
/ FootballTuesday, August 11
Tuesday, August 04
Saturday, July 25
Friday, July 17
