QB Nic Shimonek named to Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List

By VF Castro | Jul 19, 2017

LUBBOCK, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Nic Shimonek /

If Texas Tech was in a quarterback transition period, you certainly wouldn’t know it, as quarterback Nic Shimonek just racked a top preseason nod.

Nic Shimonek was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch List on Wednesday, which is an annual award given to the best fourth year, or senior quarterback. The award is based on a specific criteria ranging from a players’ character, leadership, and academic achievements.

There were 47 players throughout the college landscape who were named to the watch list, including Nic Shimonek, Kenny Hill (TCU), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), and Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State) to represent the Big 12 conference.

Patrick Mahomes was a finalist in 2016, along with former Texas Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield.

With the bar for Big 12 quarterbacking excellence being set around the 5,000 yard mark, it’s safe to say whoever closes in on that will likely be named a finalist for the Golden Arm Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, the Sammy Baugh Award, or the Heisman. But for Shimonek, Texas Tech coaches have been up front and center in discussing how his character and leadership has helped transform the locker room.

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During Big 12 Media Days earlier this week, much of the interview questioning was centered on his Texas Tech was adjusting to a quarterback transition, and how it was expected to effect the offense, and team chemistry.

“Our team loves him.” Said Kingsbury. “Because not many players in this day and age would stick around for their senior year to get their time, and he did.” Kingsbury continued by saying that Nic Shimonek’s dedication “carries a lot of weight with our program.”

Shimonek started his career at Iowa in a Pro Style offense, but has spent the past four seasons learning under Kingsbury and the Air Raid. Because of this, Shimonek has received nods from team mates when asked to compare his style to Mahomes.

During Media Days, wide receiver Cameron Batson said that Shimonek and Mahomes had different playing styles. “Pat’s a guy who can extend plays a lot longer; he’s a guy who loves the big play. Nic is a guy who will hit the check downs every now and then, and make sure the play stays alive.”

Batson ended his thoughts by saying the team had faith that Shimonek would “get the job done,” which is a pretty solid endorsement from a receiver who will be graduating Cum Laude from Texas Tech with a degree in accounting this year.

In 2008, former Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell won the Golden Arm Award, following a career with 15,793 passing yards, and 137 career touchdown passes. While Shimonek’s statistics are nowhere near Harrell or Mahomes’, the footprint he’s already cementing at Texas Tech could be just as hard to fill.

In September, The Golden Arm Award committee will announce the Top 15 finalists, and on December 8, the 30th Anniversary presentation of the Golden Arm Award will be held in Baltimore, MD.

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