Marshall University Athletics
Watts Among Biletnikoff Award Candidates
8/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Watts Among Biletnikoff Award Candidates
8/23/2002
Darius Watts |
TALLAHASSEE, FLA - The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., founder and sponsor of the National Biletnikoff Award announced the "Watch List" of receivers for the 2002 Award at a press conference held today in Tallahassee, Florida. The Biletnikoff Trophy will be awarded to the top receiver in college football at the ESPN Annual Awards Show on December 12, 2002.
"We have once again established a list of receivers that will make the job of the voters extremely difficult," according to Jay Smith, the Co-Chairman of the Biletnikoff Selection committee. "This year's list is diverse geographically and is filled with quite a few talented athletes of which any one could step forward and distinguish themselves as the best college receiver of 2002."
Marshall junior Darius Watts (College Park, GA) is once again on the list of the 31 top receivers nationally. A first team preseason All-American according to The Sporting News, Watts was among 11 semifinalists for the award last season after hauling in 91 passes for 1,417 yards and 18 touchdowns. The final award winner will be selected by print, radio and television media, as well as eminent receivers, coaches and past award winners. Past Biletnikoff Award winners include Josh Reed, Antonio Bryant, Troy Walters, Troy Edwards, Randy Moss, Marcus Harris, Terry Glen and Bobby Engram.
In addition to the award, the Foundation provides financial assistance to high school graduating seniors through scholarships. "More than $120,000 has been awarded towards college scholarships during our nine year history," according to Jeff Whalen, the President of the Quarterback Club Foundation. "In 1999, we designated the top scholarship the Traci Biletnikoff Scholarship in honor of Fred Biletnikoff's deceased daughter," continued Whalen.
The complete 2002 Biletnikoff Award watch list follows.
| Candidate Name | School Name | Year |
| Abney, Derek | Kentucky | Jr. |
| Berrian, Bernard | Fresno State | Sr. |
| Boldin, Anquan | Florida State | Sr. |
| Bush, Mike | Washington State | Sr. |
| Clayton, Michael | LSU | So. |
| Curtis, Kevin | Utah State | Sr. |
| Edwards, Terrence | Georgia | Sr. |
| Evans, Lee | Wisconsin | Sr. |
| Gage, Justin | Missouri | Sr. |
| Gibson, Fred | Georgia | So. |
| Glover, William | Georgia Tech | Sr. |
| Howry, Keenan | Oregon | Sr. |
| Jacobs, Taylor | Florida | Sr. |
| Jenkins, Michael | Ohio State | Jr. |
| Johnson, Andre | Miami | Jr. |
| Johnson, Bryant | Penn State | Sr. |
| Johnson, Teyo | Stanford | So. |
| Kelly, Kareem | USC | Sr. |
| Lloyd, Brandon | Illinois | Jr. |
| McDonald, Shaun | Arizona State | Jr. |
| McGuffey, Ryan | Wyoming | Jr. |
| McMullen, Billy | Virginia | Sr. |
| Morgan, Robert | Florida State | Sr. |
| Newhouse, Reggie | Baylor | Sr. |
| Newson, James | Oregon State | Jr. |
| Rogers, Charles | Michigan State | Jr. |
| Stricker, Dan | Vanderbilt | Sr. |
| Washington, Kelley | Tennessee | So. |
| Watts, Darius | Marshall | Jr. |
| Williams, Reggie | Washington | So. |
| Williams, Roy | Texas | Jr. |
| Woods, Rashaun | Oklahoma State | So. |