Indiana Quarterback Kurtis Rourke one of five finalists for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm

Indiana Hoosiers senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been named one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, as announced by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee.

Other finalists alongside Dart are Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, and Miami's Cam Ward.

Rourke has led Indiana to a magical season with their best start in program history sitting at 10-0 before the head to Columbus to take on the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.

Rourke has passed for 2,410 yards, 21 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions on 71.8 percentage completion percentage. His QBR is 2nd in the nation sitting at 88.1 only behind Miami Hurricanes QB Cameron Ward.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc., along with presenting sponsor A. O. Smith Corporation has pared-down the original 2024 Watch List to the nation’s Top Five quarterbacks. 

The candidates are selected by the distinguished Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, and former players. The award annually recognizes the top senior or upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class. Candidates are chosen based on player performance on-and-off the field.

Johnny Unitas was an 18-year veteran of the NFL, who played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards, 290 touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

This year's award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy at the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award celebration the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, December 6, 2024.