Hawaii QB Alejado Cracks Elite Unitas Golden Arm Watch List
Hawaii Quarterback Micah Alejado Gets Big Preseason Honor
What Happened?
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado just got some really exciting news! On Wednesday, he was named to the preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. This is a really big deal in college football.
Important Point: A "watch list" means the award committee is keeping an eye on these players during the season. It’s like being nominated before the real voting starts!
Who Is Micah Alejado?
- He’s a sophomore (second-year college student) at the University of Hawaii
- He plays quarterback — the leader of the offense who throws the ball
- Last season, he threw for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns
What Is the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award?
Think of this award like the "Best All-Around Quarterback" trophy. But it’s not just about throwing touchdowns!
The award goes to the quarterback who shows excellence in THREE areas:
- On the field — Playing great football
- Off the field — Being a good person with strong character
- In the classroom — Doing well in school (academic commitment)
Important Point: The award is named after Johnny Unitas, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He played for the Baltimore Colts and was known for his toughness and leadership.
How Special Is This Honor?
Let’s break down why this is extra impressive for Micah:
- Only 27 quarterbacks in the entire country made this list
- Only 6 quarterbacks from outside the "Power Four" conferences made it
- Micah was the ONLY player from the Mountain West Conference selected
Power Four Conferences: These are the four biggest, richest conferences in college football (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC). Most national awards go to players from these schools. Micah making this list from Hawaii is like a small-town kid getting invited to the biggest party of the year!
Other Awards Micah Is Up For
Micah isn’t just on ONE watch list — he’s on THREE major ones!
| Award | What It’s For |
|---|---|
| Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award | Best all-around QB (character + play + grades) |
| Maxwell Award | Best overall player in college football |
| Walter Camp Player of the Year | Player of the year (voted by coaches/sportswriters) |
Plus: He was already named Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year!
What Happens Next?
Here’s the timeline for the Golden Arm Award:
- Now through season — Committee watches all 27 quarterbacks play
- Mid-season — List gets trimmed down to semi-finalists
- November — Finalists announced
- December — Winner announced!
- December 9 — Winner honored at a ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland (Johnny Unitas’s old team city)
Summary
Hawaii’s Micah Alejado is having an amazing preseason! The sophomore quarterback:
- Made the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list (1 of only 27 QBs nationwide)
- Was the only Mountain West Conference player on the list
- Is also on watch lists for the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year
- Was named Preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year
- Threw for 3,106 yards and 24 TDs last season
The Golden Arm Award is special because it honors quarterbacks who are great on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The winner will be announced in December and celebrated in Baltimore on December 9th.
Go ‘Bows!
FAQ
What does "preseason watch list" mean?
It means the award committee has identified Micah as one of the top candidates before the season even starts. They’ll watch his performance all season to decide who wins.
What are the "Power Four" conferences?
The SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC — the four wealthiest and most competitive conferences in college football. Most national awards go to players from these schools, so Micah’s recognition is extra impressive!
Who was Johnny Unitas?
Johnny Unitas ("Johnny U") was a legendary NFL quarterback for the Baltimore Colts (1956–1972). He’s considered one of the greatest QBs ever — known for his toughness, leadership, and record-setting passing. The award honors his legacy.
Can Micah win all three awards?
Yes! They’re different awards with different criteria. The Maxwell Award is for the best overall player, Walter Camp is voted on by coaches, and Golden Arm focuses on the complete QB package (character + academics + play). He could theoretically win one, two, or all three!
When will we know if he wins?
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner is announced in December (after the regular season). The ceremony happens December 9 in Baltimore. The other awards have their own announcement dates, usually in early December too.