August 24, 2005
Texas A&M senior quarterback Reggie McNeal was selected as a top candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior quarterback.
McNeal, from Lufkin, Texas, was one of 22 candidates selected by the Frank Camp Chapter of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation. Also on the list is McNeal's season-opening counterpart Charlie Whitehurst of Clemson and future opponent Joel Klatt of Colorado.
The nation's top dual-threat quarterback, McNeal is the only returning quarterback that averaged more than 220 yards passing and 50 yards rushing last season. McNeal passed for a school record 2,791 yards and rushed for a quarterback record 716 yards in 2004.
In addition to the Unitas Award, McNeal is on the "watch lists" for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
On the field on Tuesday, the Aggies continued preparations for the season-opener against Clemson with a two-hour workout in full pads.
After the practice, Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione was asked
if he had heard the "campaign slogan" that talkative true freshman Martellus Bennett makes at the end of every media interview which is "I pity the fool that doesn't vote Reggie McNeal for Heisman."
"I hadn't heard that one," Franchione laughed, "but I'm sure it's the first of many. That's Martellus and he'll have some more before the day is over."
Franchione continued, "(Martellus) is a fun kid. He's got a great sense of humor. He's never met a stranger. I think he lightens it up for everyone a great bit. He has a great demeanor for everyone to be loose around him."