Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics
Preston Stone named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
8/19/2025 11:25:00 AM | Football
BALTIMORE – Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone was named to the Watch List for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, as announced by The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. on Tuesday.
Named after one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, the prestigious award has been presented annually since 1987 to the nation's top college quarterback.
Stone makes his second consecutive appearance on the Watch List and is one of 58 quarterbacks across all of the FBS to receive a nod. He was one of eight Big Ten quarterbacks who were nominated, and it marks the sixth time in the last nine seasons in which a Northwestern quarterback was named to the Watch List.
The Dallas, Texas, native comes to Evanston for his final year of collegiate football after four years at SMU. Stone played in nine games during his first two seasons as a Mustang before becoming a full-time starter as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. That year, he recorded the fourth-most passing yards (3,197), the third-most touchdown passes (28) and the highest passing efficiency (161.3) in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) en route to a All-AAC Third-Team selection. During his record year, he was in the top 15 in several FBS categories, including passing yards per completion (No. 5), passing touchdowns (No. 11) and passing efficiency (No. 13). He also threw for over 300 yards in four games and was a three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week. After a 371-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tulsa in October of 2023, he was selected as the CFPA National Performer of the Week and the Manning Award Star of the Week.
Stone was named a team captain for his redshirt senior season in 2024 when the Mustangs reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate pool will be slimmed to semifinalists and finalists throughout the fall before one quarterback is awarded the honor in December at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, whose mission aligns with the Foundation's commitment to advancing the game of football while promoting character, leadership, and academic achievement among young athletes.
Named after one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, the prestigious award has been presented annually since 1987 to the nation's top college quarterback.
Stone makes his second consecutive appearance on the Watch List and is one of 58 quarterbacks across all of the FBS to receive a nod. He was one of eight Big Ten quarterbacks who were nominated, and it marks the sixth time in the last nine seasons in which a Northwestern quarterback was named to the Watch List.
The Dallas, Texas, native comes to Evanston for his final year of collegiate football after four years at SMU. Stone played in nine games during his first two seasons as a Mustang before becoming a full-time starter as a redshirt sophomore in 2023. That year, he recorded the fourth-most passing yards (3,197), the third-most touchdown passes (28) and the highest passing efficiency (161.3) in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) en route to a All-AAC Third-Team selection. During his record year, he was in the top 15 in several FBS categories, including passing yards per completion (No. 5), passing touchdowns (No. 11) and passing efficiency (No. 13). He also threw for over 300 yards in four games and was a three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week. After a 371-yard, three-touchdown performance against Tulsa in October of 2023, he was selected as the CFPA National Performer of the Week and the Manning Award Star of the Week.
Stone was named a team captain for his redshirt senior season in 2024 when the Mustangs reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate pool will be slimmed to semifinalists and finalists throughout the fall before one quarterback is awarded the honor in December at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, whose mission aligns with the Foundation's commitment to advancing the game of football while promoting character, leadership, and academic achievement among young athletes.
Players Mentioned
QB
/ FootballFootball - Oregon at Northwestern Postgame Press Conference (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - 'Cats Fall to No. 4 Oregon (9/13/25)
Saturday, September 13
Football - Western Illinois Cinematic Recap (9/5/25)
Monday, September 08
Football - Week 3 Monday Press Conference (9/8/25)
Monday, September 08
