The award is annually presented to the top
senior quarterback in the nation by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm
Educational Foundation. Established in 1987, it is named in honor of
the former great Baltimore Colts quarterback.
Harper established 21 Clemson records last year when he led
the Tigers to a 9-4 record and a number-21 final ranking in the AP
poll. The native of Alpharetta, GA threw for 2991 yards and 27
touchdowns against just six interceptions last season. The touchdown
total was a Clemson school record. Harper led the ACC in passing
efficiency, the first Clemson quarterback to lead the league since
1983 (Mike Eppley).
Harper is one of just two ACC quarterbacks on the candidates
list. He is joined by Virginia Tech senior Sean Glennon. The 2008
award will be presented on December 5 at theTremont Grand Meeting and
Banquet Facility in Baltimore, MD.
Previous winners of the Johnny Unitas Award include Tony Rice
(Notre Dame), Charlie Ward (Florida State), Peyton Manning
(Tennessee), Chris Weinke (Florida State) and Eli Manning
(Mississippi).
The list of candidates for this year's award include: C.J. Bacher of
Northwestern, Todd Boeckman of Ohio State, Rhett Bomar of Sam Houston
State, Tom Brandstater of Fresno State, Hunter Cantwell of
Louisville, Rudy Carpenter of Arizona State, Chase Clement of Rice,
Chase Daniel of Missouri, Joe Ganz of Nebraska, Sean Glennon of
Virginia Tech, Cullen Harper of Clemson, Graham Harrell of Texas
Tech, Chase Holbrook of New Mexico State, Brian Hoyer of Michigan
State, Will Hudgens of Memphis, Brian Johnson of Utah, Nate Longshore
of California, Tyler Lorenzen of Connecticut, Stephen McGee of Texas
A&M, Ben Olson of UCLA, Curtis Painter of Purdue, John Parker Wilson
of Alabama, Mike Teel of Rutgers, Willie Tuitama of Arizona, Pat
White of West Virginia, and Drew Willy of University of Buffalo.
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