BALTIMORE, Md. – Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew II won the 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Presented by A.O. Smith, Monday.

The award is named after one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, the prestigious award has been presented annually since 1987 to the nation's top college quarterback. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Criteria to be considered for the award include character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments.

Minshew II has thrown for 4,477 yards while completing 70.6 percent of his pass attempts (433-for-613) and tossed 36 touchdowns against nine interceptions, and added three rushing scores. In addition to leading the nation in passing yards, the senior transfer also ranks first in total offense per game (381.7), passing yards per game (373.1), completions per game (36.0) and is fifth in touchdown passes (36). Against Arizona, Minshew II threw for 473 yards and a school-record and 2018 NCAA-best seven touchdown passes. He topped the 300-yard passing mark in 11 games and eclipsed the 400-yard plateau six times. The native of Brandon, Miss., helped Washington State to a school-record-tying 10 wins (10-2), a ranking of No. 12 in the Associated Press Top-25 and a spot in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Iowa State. Dec. 28

Minshew II is also a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, given to the best college quarterback, and is the nation's oldest and most prestigious national quarterback award.

For the second straight season a Cougar quarterback has won a national award after Luke Falk won the Burlsworth Trophy (Top former walk-on) last season.