Max Duggan Becomes First TCU Quarterback to Win Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

The senior who’s led the team to a perfect record was also recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

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We’re running out of adjectives to describe this year’s Horned Frogs football squad. Magical? Phenomenal? Once-in-an-eon astounding? Sure, we’ll go with the latter to describe the play of quarterback Max Duggan; and it appears we’re far from the only ones with such high praise. Today, Duggan became the recipient of two major honors: the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

Duggan becomes the first Horned Frog to receive the prestigious Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate quarterback. And the senior also becomes the second TCU student ever to receive the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.

The Golden Arm Award, presented annually by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. and the A.O. Smith Corporation, has awarded the nation’s top collegiate quarterbacks since 1987.

Yes — it’s true that Duggan’s prowess is evident on the grid iron, where he leads the Big 12 in several categories and has been a big component in TCU’s 12-0 record; but this honor also takes into account Duggan’s character, and scholastic achievement — which is why he won, according to the voters.

A selection committee ultimately determines the candidates for the Golden Arm Award are selected by a selection committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, and former players. The award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class.

Duggan’s achievements will be honored on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in Baltimore by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., and A. O. Smith. Former Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cleveland Browns and current Senior Football Advisor to the New York Jets, Phil Savage, will be this year’s guest speaker welcoming Duggan into the fraternity of Golden Arm Award quarterbacks.

While Duggan continues to rack up the awards, his teammates are getting their share of the spotlight, too. Ten Horned Frogs were named to this year’s All Big 12 First Team — twice as many as any other school; hear that, Texas?

Check out the list below to see the student athletes selected.

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