Rutgers' Teel makes Unitas watch list

Rutgers senior quarterback Mike Teel (Oakland, N.J.) has made the first cut to be considered for the 2008 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Teel is one of 26 senior quarterbacks from around the nation up for the award.

Teel started every game for the second-straight season in 2007 despite playing most of the year with injuries on his thumb and hand. He ended the season with 20 touchdown passes, the most in Rutgers single-season history and finished second in RU single-season history in passing yardage (3,147). Teel’s 203 completions ranked fourth in RU single-season history as he totaled six, 300-yard passing games.

Teel directed an offense that was the first in NCAA history to have a 3,000-yard passer, 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the same season

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation’s top senior collegiate quarterback, by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation, Inc. This prestigious award bears the name of who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has previously honored 20 outstanding young men.

The award takes into consideration his impressive collegiate career to this point, as well as his off-the-field values of good character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and strong leadership qualities.

The 2008 winner will be presented with the award on December 5^th at the Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore, Maryland.

The namesake of the award has a storied history which has earned him the recognition of being the Greatest Quarterback to ever play in the NFL. An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-1954), passing for 3007 yards and 27 TDs. Unitas, who wore #19 as a professional, had his # 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals. Johnny Unitas began his 18-year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in 1958 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final season. His career passing figures are mind boggling. He completed 2,830-of-5,186 passes for 40,239 yards and 290 TDs during his NFL career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the Pro Football Hall of Fame 36 member selection committee.