Reports: Texas Tech QB Sensation On Preseason Watchlist For Prestigious Award
Texas Tech junior quarterback Behren Morton has been named to the preseason watchlist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Texas Tech football fans are eager for the Behren Morton era to fully kick off this season. While Morton made eight starts last year, this will be the first time he enters the season knowing he’s the clear starter. Additionally, there’s hope that he will stay healthy throughout the entire 2024 season.
It’s clear that Morton has caught the attention of more than just Red Raider fans, as he has been placed on the preseason watchlist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
According to the award’s website, “The Golden Arm Award, presented yearly to the top upperclassmen quarterback by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, embodies the positive aspects of college sports. While it recognizes on-field performance, it also values character, citizenship, integrity, and respect for the game.”
Morton is one of ten Big 12 quarterbacks included on this preseason watchlist, highlighting the depth of the conference at that position.
This season, Morton aims to improve upon a challenging 2023 due to a sprained throwing shoulder he sustained in his fourth game, preventing him from starting at full health.
He threw for 1,757 yards and 15 touchdowns, completing 62.1% of his passes. While those statistics may seem mediocre, it’s important to note that he was often kept from practicing to allow his shoulder to recover.
Golden Arm Award Watch List -> Behren Morton 💪@BehrenMorton | #WreckEm pic.twitter.com/yluGBl20Vu
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) August 14, 2024
This made it challenging for him to establish timing with his receivers, and missing so much practice likely affected his comfort in executing the full game plan.
This year, Morton has the potential to emerge as a national breakout player. With a revamped group of skill players around him, he could achieve career-best statistics if he can stay healthy.
However, health has been a significant concern for Morton. He has yet to complete a full game at peak fitness. In addition to last season’s injury, he faced a high ankle sprain during his first career start in 2022, which limited his mobility for the rest of that season and led to him losing the starting position.
Morton possesses the talent to excel at the highest level, but he needs to demonstrate that ability on the field this year. If he can steer clear of the lingering injuries that have hampered him so far, he could become one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and a contender for the Golden Arm Award.