LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior quarterback Nic Shimonek has been named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, it was announced Wednesday morning.
In limited action backing up current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II in 2016, Shimonek completed 38-of-58 passes for 464 yards and six touchdowns, with just one interception.
Shimonek’s breakout performance of 2016 came in the nationally-televised Thursday night contest with Kansas, when Mahomes left early in the third quarter with an injury. Shimonek entered the game with the Red Raiders ahead 28-19, and proceeded to rack up 271 yards and four touchdowns through the air en route to a 55-19 victory over the Jayhawks.
The last Red Raider to win the Johnny Unitas Award was Graham Harrell in 2008. Shimonek’s appearance on the watch list marks the second-straight year a Red Raider has been named, as Mahomes made the list a year ago.
The Johnny Unitas Award is presented annually to the nation’s top college quarterback based on character, citizenship, scholarship achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. The award will be presented at a Dec. 9 ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland.
Courtesy: Texas Tech Sports Information
