Richie James on Biletnikoff Award watch list

The duo is among 53 players on the preseason watch list and the Seminoles are one of 11 schools with multiple student-athletes selected.

Boise State senior wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck grabbed a spot on the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Football Club Foundation announced on Wednesday. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely outstanding wide receiver.

Atkinson is one of only four American Athletic Conference players named to the Biletnikoff watch list. He enters the year 52 receptions and 741 yards shy of Kenny Bell’s career records, which rank atop the Nebraska all-time list. Those records tied for second in the SEC and 17th nationally in touchdown receptions. The award is presented each year to the top receiver in college football and is named after former Oakland Raiders receiver Fred Biletnikoff.

His place as a semi-finalist was certainly warranted, as he caught 89 passes for 1,454 yards and ten touchdowns, leading the team in all categories.

Washington, a junior, is the Big 12’s lone returning 1,000-yard receiver to go along with a conference high averages in yards per game (83.62) and touchdowns (10). Taylor has also been named to the Maxwell Award Award watch list this season. More watch list announcements will be made later this week.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the 10 Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on November 14, following the vote by members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee.