Shapen Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen was named to the watchlist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced this week.

Shapen, one of 63 FBS quarterbacks named to the watchlist, was honored as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. The Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. The preseason Watch List, semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the distinguished Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, and former players.

A 2022 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Shapen begins his lone season at Mississippi State with an impressive resume. In three seasons at Baylor, Shapen threw for 5,574 yards and 36 touchdowns with a career completion percentage of 63%.

In 2021, he played in just six games with two starts but led Baylor to a Big 12 Championship while earning the Big 12 Championships Most Outstanding Performer award. He earned that honor after setting a Big 12 Championship game and AT&T Stadium (college games only) record with 17 straight completions and 180 yards and three touchdowns.

Shapen was Baylor's full-time starting quarterback in each of his next two seasons. He passed for over 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and had 13+ touchdowns in each season.

The namesake of the Golden Arm Award has a storied history. Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

This year's award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland, on Friday, December 6, 2024.

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Mississippi State University Athletics

Shapen Named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watchlist

Players Mentioned

Blake Shapen

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