Wisconsin starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has been named to the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The award is presented annually to recognize the top senior or upperclassman quarterback in college football.
Edwards Jr. is entering his first season with Wisconsin after transferring from Maryland, where he played from 2022 through 2024. He is one of 58 quarterbacks nationwide on this year’s watch list, which includes players such as Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Arch Manning (Texas), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State), and John Mateer (Oklahoma). In addition, Edwards Jr. is one of eight Big Ten quarterbacks selected for preseason recognition.
During his redshirt junior season at Maryland, Edwards Jr. threw for 2,881 yards, recorded 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and completed 65 percent of his passes. He finished second in the conference in passing yards per game with an average of 261.9 and ranked fourth in completions with 273 last year.
The Badgers will open their season against Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 28 at Camp Randall Stadium, where Edwards Jr. will look to demonstrate his skills for Wisconsin under head coach Luke Fickell and new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes.
Notable past winners of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award include Shedeur Sanders (2024), Jayden Daniels (2023), Mac Jones (2020), Joe Burrow (2019), Deshaun Watson (2016), Marcus Mariota (2014) and Andrew Luck (2011). If selected, Edwards Jr. would be only the second player from Wisconsin to receive this recognition following Scott Tolzien in 2011.
