UTEP’s Ryan Metz Announced as Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Candidate

UTEP’s Ryan Metz was one of 47 standout quarterbacks from different divisions and conferences across the nation to be named as a 2017 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award candidate on Tuesday.

The Golden Arm Award is presented at the end of each football season and the winner is selected based on his accomplishments both on and off the field.

The junior signal caller played in 11 contests, starting seven during the 2016 campaign. Metz completed 64.7 (130-201) percent of his passes, which ranked third in Conference USA and is the program’s second-best single-season performance. Metz tossed 14 touchdowns, only four interceptions and 1,375 yards. His 141.14 passing efficiency rating was the program’s fifth-best single-season outing.

The former Andress High star was highlighted as one of eight Manning Award Stars of the Week after tying his career high with a trio of touchdown passes during a 52-49 5OT victory at UTSA on Oct. 22. Metz also concluded his sophomore season with a pair of touchdown passes, including a career-long 72-yard score during a dominant victory over North Texas.

Metz is known for his on-field achievements and has also made an impact off the field. Metz completed 25 hours of community service hours last season, while the signal caller is known for volunteering his time to children in the community. Metz volunteered over 15 hours at children’s camps, where he assisted with football drills and activities for the future gridiron greats. Metz was also a member of Project MOVE, where he played with children in the community in various activities like kickball, football and soccer. Metz is active in assisting with the football team’s weekly dinner with the Child Crisis Center. Metz, along with his teammates, spend time with the children in the Crisis Center, playing, working on homework and eating dinner together. His classroom achievements were recognized as Metz has been named to the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll the past three years.

Metz was also selected as one of 45 national collegiate quarterbacks, and the first UTEP quarterback, to be invited to the 2017 Manning Passing Academy supervised by the Manning Family (Archie, Cooper, Eli & Peyton). The camp was a four-day event that started June 22 at Nicholls State University in which over 125 prep, college and professional coaches, counselors and staff members were involved.

UTEP opens the 2017 season at Oklahoma on Sept. 2 (1:30 p.m. MT). The home opener will also be the C-USA lid lifter as the Miners will host Rice on Sept. 9 and will follow with another home game against Arizona on Friday, Sept. 15 (8:15 p.m.). For season tickets call 915.747.6150 or emailseasontickets@utep.edu.