Nick Starkel Named To Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List

Baldwin, Md.----- Even though San Jose State University's 2020 football season is postponed, graduate transfer Nick Starkel is one of 48 quarterbacks listed on the 2020 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.
 
            Named after the Pro Football Hall of Fame great who starred for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 through 1971 and played the 1972 for the San Diego Chargers, the award is given to the top senior quarterback based on athletics accomplishments, character, citizenship, scholastic achievements and leadership qualities. Unitas spent his first NFL season in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 
            Starkel enrolled at San Jose State for the 2020 spring semester after two seasons at Texas A&M and the 2019 season at Arkansas.
 
            In his three seasons, Starkel threw for 3,114 yards and 22 touchdowns in 20 games. Starkel started five games for Texas A&M and five for Arkansas. He has four 300-yard passing games including a 2019 season-high 356 yards and three touchdowns against San Jose State on September 21, 2019. His career best is a 499-yard, four touchdown performance for Texas A&M in a 55-52 loss to Wake Forest in the 2017 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.
 
            Like Unitas, Starkel is a native of Pittsburgh. Last year's winner was LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.