November 18, 2021

The Bearcats’ senior quarterback is one of the top 5 finalists

CINCINNATI – Senior quarterback Desmond Ridder was named a finalist for the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award on Thursday. He is one of five finalists. The prestigious Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the top upperclassman quarterback set to graduate with their class.
 
Through 10 games in 2021, Ridder has passed for 2,425 yards and has 27 total TDs. He is also the active career leader in wins and winning % among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision signal callers, winning over 89% of his games (41-5). He is one of five FBS quarterbacks to ever win 40 or more games.
 
Ridder, the 2020 American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, 2021 AAC Championship Game Most Outstanding Player and 2018 AAC Rookie of the Year, led the Bearcats to an AAC Championship and the team’s first New Year’s Six appearance since 2009 last season.
 
Ridder is the No. 1 passer in school history, throwing for 9,330 yards and 79 touchdowns. He has thrown the most touchdowns in UC program history.
 
The senior from Louisville, Ky. was also recently named as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien QB of the Year Award, the Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Maxwell Award. He is on the Watch List for the Manning Award as well as being a Heisman Trophy candidate.
 
He was a 2020 finalist for the Manning Award and a semifinalist for the Maxwell and O’Brien Awards.
 
The 2021 Golden Arm award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy by The Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas, Jr., on Friday, December 10, 2021.
 
UP NEXT
Cincinnati hosts SMU Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Bearcats can clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship with a win. The game will be aired on ESPN.
 
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