Golden Arm Award Watch List Includes Wisconsin Quarterback

Starting Quarterback for Wisconsin Football Named to Golden Arm

Key Highlights:

1. Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list.

2. Transferred from Maryland after the 2024 season.

3. One of 58 quarterbacks nationwide, including eight from the Big Ten, on the preseason list.

4. Threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns last season at Maryland.

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Wisconsin football’s starting quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., has earned a spot on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list, announced Tuesday. The award annually recognizes the nation’s top senior or upperclassman quarterback, with past winners including Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Mac Jones, Marcus Mariota, and Andrew Luck. If Edwards Jr. wins, he would become only the second Badger to do so, following Scott Tolzien in 2011.

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National Recognition

Edwards Jr. is one of 58 quarterbacks nationwide on this year’s list. Other notable names include

1. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)

2. Cade Klubnik (Clemson)

3. Arch Manning (Texas)

4. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

5. Drew Allar (Penn State)

6. John Mateer (Oklahoma)

Within the Big Ten, Edwards Jr. joins seven other quarterbacks: Allar, Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Aidan Chiles (Michigan State), Preston Stone (Northwestern), Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), Athan Kaliakmanis (Rutgers), and Nico Iamaleava (UCLA).

Read: Football Transfer Rumours: Tsimikas & Morgan in Spotlight

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Transfer to Wisconsin

The Virginia native transferred from Maryland after three seasons (2022–2024), where he totaled 2,881 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, completing 65% of his passes. Edwards Jr. ranked second in the Big Ten with 261.9 passing yards per game and fourth in completions (273) during 2024.

He joins Luke Fickell’s program as the Badgers welcome a new offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes, following the departures of Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke. While Wisconsin’s ground-and-pound system may slightly limit deep passing opportunities, Edwards’ 375 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns over three seasons suggest he’ll remain a versatile threat, particularly in short-yardage situations.

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Looking Ahead

Edwards Jr. will have the chance to showcase his skills when Wisconsin opens the season against Miami (OH) on Aug. 28 at Camp Randall Stadium. Fans will be watching closely to see if the talented quarterback can live up to his Golden Arm Award watch list recognition and lead the Badgers to a strong season.