Becht Named To Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15Becht Named To Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15

Becht Named To Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15

Redshirt senior among 15 candidates for nation’s premier collegiate quarterback

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior quarterback Rocco Becht was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 15 list on Thursday.

 

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

  • Member of the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award and Maxwell Award watch lists.
  • Also among the Senior Bowl 300 and was East-West Shrine Bowl Monday Morning Quarterback on Sept. 14.
  • Owns 29 wins and 44 starts as a starting quarterback, most among FBS quarterbacks, and has led seven game-winning drives.
  • Ranks third among active FBS quarterbacks in passing yards (10,382) and passing touchdowns (74).
  • Has the third-most passing attempts (1,311), fourth-most completions (797) and third-best completion percentage (60.8; min. 1,300 attempts) among current FBS quarterbacks.
  • Becht’s 10,913 total yards are the third-most among active FBS quarterbacks and his 20 rushing touchdowns are 10th.
  • The redshirt senior has 33 career 200-yard passing games, tied for most among current FBS quarterbacks, and six career 300-yard passing games.
  • He also has 24 games with 2+ passing touchdowns, tied third-most among active FBS quarterbacks, and nine games with 3+ passing touchdowns.
  • He is one of three FBS quarterbacks with 10,000+ passing touchdowns and 74+ passing touchdowns in their career and is the only FBS quarterback with 74+ passing touchdowns and 20+ rushing touchdowns in their career.
  • In 2026, Becht has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has added 32 rushing yards and a touchdown.
  • He threw for 271 yards and a career-high four touchdowns against Marshall.
  • Becht threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns at Temple and two touchdowns against Buffalo.
  • He completed 26 passes and a touchdown pass at Northwestern.

 

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award field will continue to narrow until finalists are selected. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award Ceremony in Baltimore on Dec. 9.

 

Penn State is set to host 19/17 USC on Saturday for the annual Penn State White Out Game. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on NBC and Peacock.

 

The 2026 Penn State Football Season is presented by PSECU.