UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior quarterback Rocco Becht was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List on Wednesday.
Now in its 40th 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.
Rocco Becht · R-Sr. · QB · 6-1 · 210 · Wesley Chapel, Fla. · Wiregrass Ranch · Iowa State
- Also on the Maxwell Award watch list.
- Was named to the Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Wuerffel Trophy watch lists in 2025.
- Named an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee.
- Selected All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2024 and was Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2023.
- Earned second-team Freshman All-American honors from The Athletic.
- Named CSC Academic All-District in 2023 and 2024.
- Started 39 games and earned 26 wins at Iowa State, while leading seven game-winning drives.
- Ranks Top 10 all-time at Iowa State in consecutive games with a passing touchdown (22; 1st), passing touchdowns (64; 2nd), 300+ yard passing games (6; 2nd), completions (714; 3rd), passing attempts (1,177; 3rd), passing yards (9,274; 3rd), passing efficiency (140.2; 3rd), completion percentage (60.6; 4th), rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (19; t-1st), touchdowns responsible for (83; 2nd) and total offense (9,773; 3rd).
- Ended the 2025 season as one of nine FBS quarterbacks with 9,200+ career passing yards and 64+ career passing touchdowns and one of six FBS quarterbacks with 64+ career passing touchdowns and 19+ career rushing touchdowns.
- In 2025, completed 205-of-339 passes for 2,584 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 116 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list will be narrowed to semifinalists, finalists and one standout quarterback will take home the Golden Arm Award ceremony on December 9.
Nittany Lions On Award Watch Lists
Ryan Barker - Groza
Rocco Becht - Maxwell, Unitas
Benjamin Brahmer - Lombardi, Mackey
Gabe Burkle - Mackey
Cooper Cousins - Wuerffel Trophy
Kooper Ebel - Butkus
Carson Hansen - Doak Walker
James Peoples - Doak Walker
Brock Riker - Rimington Trophy
Tony Rojas - Lott IMPACT Trophy
Blaise Sokach-Minnick - Mannelly
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.