App State’s Aguilar and Johnson named to national awards

BOONE, N.C. — App State senior quarterback Joey Aguilar has been named to the preseason watch lists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award.

Aguilar is one of 29 candidates for the Manning Award, which was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ postseason performances in its balloting.

Johnny Unitas, an 18-year veteran of the NFL, played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville before joining the Baltimore Colts in 1958. His career passing figures include 2,830 pass completions for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns.

Aguilar is also on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which recognizes the most outstanding player in college football, and the Davey O’Brien Award, which recognizes the nation’s top returning college quarterbacks.

Aguilar’s 33 touchdown passes during the 2023 regular season allowed him to rank fifth nationally for the entire season, which he finished with additional school records of 3,757 passing yards and 4,002 yards of total offense. He’s the nation’s only returning quarterback who had 33-plus touchdown passes and 3,700-plus passing yards in 2023.

Johnson Named to Lombardi Award Watch List

App State pass-rushing standout Nate Johnson has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award.

The award goes to the college football offensive or defensive lineman who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.

Johnson, who plays outside linebacker in App State’s 3-4 scheme, previously had been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the national defensive player of the year.

Johnson received Freshman All-America recognition in 2023, when he tied for first nationally among true freshmen with 7.5 sacks. He also totaled 43 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble while posting 37 quarterback pressures, according to PFF.