Arch Manning, CJ Carr and Gunner Stockton headline 15 Unitas Award semifinalists

Arch Manning, CJ Carr and Gunner Stockton headline 15 Unitas Award semifinalists originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Texas' Arch Manning, Georgia's Gunner Stockton and Notre Dame's CJ Carr are among 15 quarterbacks who were announced as Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award semifinalists on Thursday.

The Golden Arm Award recognizes quarterbacks who demonstrate excellence both on and off the field.

Manning has led Texas to the No. 1 ranking in the AP Top 25. The Longhorns are 4-0 heading into their annual showdown with Oklahoma on Saturday.

Stockton and Carr also have led their teams to undefeated starts. Georgia is No. 2 and Notre Dame No. 3 in the AP Top 25.

SEC football is a different kind of test. 🏈 Texas QB Arch Manning shares what it’s like competing in the SEC week in and week out. #ArchManning #TexasFootball #Longhorns #SECFootball #CollegeFootball https://t.co/lL1HAAcPcU

— HookEm.com (@bevobeat) October 7, 2026

The remaining contenders advanced from the original 27-player watch list. The original watch list was announced Aug. 19 and was selected under the Golden Arm Award's refined eligibility criteria for the 2026 season.

MORE:Sporting News' Heisman voters reveal frontrunners heading into Week 6

The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation alongside presenting partner A. O. Smith Corporation.

The semifinalists are:

Rocco Becht, Penn State

CJ Carr, Notre Dame

Devon Dampier, Utah

Noah Fifita, Arizona

Kevin Jennings, SMU

Avery Johnson, Kansas State

Sam Leavitt, LSU

Jayden Maiava, USC

Arch Manning, Texas

Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State

Dante Moore, Oregon

Julian Sayin, Ohio State

Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Conner Weigman, Houston

Demond Williams Jr., Washington

More College Football news:

  • Drew Mestemaker leads Oklahoma State past Oregon
  • Are marquee non-conference games worth scheduling anymore?
  • Week Two Heisman Update
  • Week Three Heisman Update
  • Week Four Heisman Update

Source: Yahoo Sports