Cam Ward adds more preseason recognition with Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watch list

Miami quarterback Cam Ward earned his sixth preseason honor on Wednesday by being named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm watch list. Ward transferred to Miami from Washington State during the 2024 offseason and has Miami poised to contend for an ACC Championship and College Football Playoff berth.

Ward was previously named to the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award watch lists and the Preseason ACC Player of the Year and and All-ACC team. Ward is in a position to challenge for the Heisman Trophy and be an All-American.

Craig Erickson in 1990 and Gino Torretta during his Heisman Trophy season in 1992 are the only Miami QBs to win the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award. Ward led all returning passers in college football with 311.3 passing yards per game in 2023. Ward earned preseason All-ACC in a conference full of proven QBs.

Ward is one of 13 ACC QBs named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch list. Miami will play six QBs on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm preseason watch list. That includes Graham Mertz of Florida and Byrum Brown from South Florida in non-conference games and four ACC QBs.

Ward is one of 11 Miami players who have been named to 2024 preseason watch lists or All-Conference. Andres Borregales, Rueben Bain, Damien Martinez and Xavier Restrepo have received multiple recognitions during the 2024 preseason. Borregales, Bain, Mauigoa Restrepo and Ward earned first-team preseason All-ACC.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm winner will be presented on December 6. Most College Football postseason awards will be presented at the ESPN College Football Awards Show on December 12. The 2024 Heisman Trophy will be awarded on December 9. Torretta was the last Miami Heisman Trophy winner during the 1992 season.