An offseason of plaudits continues for Nebraska starting quarterback Tanner Lee, who has yet to actually start at Nebraska. While murmurs of Lee’s arm talent and praise from NFL draftniks have seemed to follow Lee since he arrived at Lincoln a season ago, on Wednesday we got an on-the-record nod towards the season he’s expected to have.
Lee was one of 47 names on the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list. Not just a quarterback race, the Unitas Award also factors in accomplishments “off the field” as well.
“The Golden Arm Award values character, citizenship, integrity, leadership, and sportsmanship – characteristics that were displayed by my father. These attributes were every bit as important as the quarterback’s completion rate or the number of touchdowns scored,” John C. Unitas, Jr., President of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, said in the release. “Despite his many accolades, my Dad never forgot his humble beginnings and that won him a permanent place in the hearts of everyone who ever knew him.”
Lee, of course, has yet to throw a pass for the Huskers, but he was named the starter shortly after the spring game. He started 19 games over two seasons at Tulane, throwing for a combined 3,601 yards and 23 touchdowns. Six other Big Ten quarterbacks joined Lee on the list: J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), David Blough (Purdue), Richard Lagow (Indiana), Trace McSorley (Penn State), Wilton Speight (Michigan) and Clayton Thorson (Northwestern).
Finalists for the Unitas Award will be announced in September.
