Five Mid American conference receivers were put on the 2009 Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The Fred Biletnikoff Award has been presented since 1994 to America's top college football receiver by the TQC Foundation, Inc. (The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc.), an independent not-for-profit organization.
A national selection committee consisting of over 150 journalists, commentators, broadcasters, and former players selects the award winner. No member of the board of trustees of the foundation has a vote. Any college player who receives the football through the forward pass is eligible (wide receiver, running back, tight end) to be selected as the award winner, although every winner since 1994 has been a wide receiver.
Not since 1997 when then Marshall's Randy Moss won the award has a player form the MAC won this award. This years Nominees from the MAC are:
Antonio Brown, Central Michigan:
Last year the then sophomore came up just short of a thousand yards for the second straight year (950 in 2007, 998 in 2008) but in terms of overall yardage he was ranked fourth in the nation. Brown is also a proficient returner with leading the nation in punt return yardage (20.5 ypr) last year and taking one punt back for a touchdown, He also is an All MAC kick returner. He is so diverse as a player that he is just one of just two players in NCAA history to earn all-conference first-team honors at three positions in the same season
Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo:
Roosevelt gained national attention for his walk off Hail Mary reception against Temple last year but his 1,402 years receiving was good for fourth in college football and his 13 touchdowns tied him for eighth in the FBS. Last year he set single-season school records for receptions (104), yards receiving (1,402) and receiving touchdowns (13) and came on strong late in the year with five of his seven 100+ yard games.
Taylor Price, Ohio:
Taylor Price enters his Senior following a 2008 campaign where he managed 694 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions, his most notable game was against MAC East rival Akron where he caught eight passed for one hundred yards and three touchdown to help the Bobcats walk away with a 49-42 decision. With the loss of Tight End Andrew Mooney, whoever wins the Bobcats starting quarterback job may have to rely more heavily on the wide outs this season, so there is room for Price to go over a thousand yards this year if that's the case.
A national selection committee consisting of over 150 journalists, commentators, broadcasters, and former players selects the award winner. No member of the board of trustees of the foundation has a vote. Any college player who receives the football through the forward pass is eligible (wide receiver, running back, tight end) to be selected as the award winner, although every winner since 1994 has been a wide receiver.
Not since 1997 when then Marshall's Randy Moss won the award has a player form the MAC won this award. This years Nominees from the MAC are:
Antonio Brown, Central Michigan:
Last year the then sophomore came up just short of a thousand yards for the second straight year (950 in 2007, 998 in 2008) but in terms of overall yardage he was ranked fourth in the nation. Brown is also a proficient returner with leading the nation in punt return yardage (20.5 ypr) last year and taking one punt back for a touchdown, He also is an All MAC kick returner. He is so diverse as a player that he is just one of just two players in NCAA history to earn all-conference first-team honors at three positions in the same season
Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo:
Roosevelt gained national attention for his walk off Hail Mary reception against Temple last year but his 1,402 years receiving was good for fourth in college football and his 13 touchdowns tied him for eighth in the FBS. Last year he set single-season school records for receptions (104), yards receiving (1,402) and receiving touchdowns (13) and came on strong late in the year with five of his seven 100+ yard games.
Taylor Price, Ohio:
Taylor Price enters his Senior following a 2008 campaign where he managed 694 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions, his most notable game was against MAC East rival Akron where he caught eight passed for one hundred yards and three touchdown to help the Bobcats walk away with a 49-42 decision. With the loss of Tight End Andrew Mooney, whoever wins the Bobcats starting quarterback job may have to rely more heavily on the wide outs this season, so there is room for Price to go over a thousand yards this year if that's the case.
Jacory Stone, Eastern Michigan:
The performance of Jacory Stone in 2008 gives hope to Eagles fans for 2009. His 943 receiving yards was in the top fifty nationally among all receivers (43) and more than double his sophomore numbers. His performance in the late season loss to Temple and win against Central Michigan, a combined 28 catches for 248 yards, were two of his best games. He will face both teams again and should not have too much trouble getting himself over a thousand yards for his senior campaign.
Stephen Williams, Toledo:
Best vid I could find, let me know if you have something better
Stephen Williams fell off a bit last year in total yardage (781) but his eight touchdowns, first on the team, were huge throughout the year. His best two efforts of the year came in losing games (114 yards two touchdowns against Fresno and 136 yards with two touchdowns against Akron). With the departure of Nick Moore Williams becomes the main weapon for Aaron Opelt and should break a thousand this year.
2009 Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Kris Adams, UTEP
Seyi Ajirotutu, Fresno State
Brandon Banks, Kansas State
Doug Beaumont, Louisville
Arrelious Benn, Illinois
Dezmon Briscoe, Kansas
Antonio Brown, Central Michigan
DeAndre Brown, Southern Miss
Ryan Broyles, Oklahoma
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Tyron Carrier, Houston
Eric Decker, Minnesota
Jacoby Ford, Clemson
Cortez Gent, Florida Atlantic
Mardy Gilyard, Cincinnati
AJ Green, Georgia
Rashaun Greer, Colorado State
D'Andre Goodwin, Washington
T.Y. Hilton, Florida International
Shay Hodge, Ole Miss
Jerrel Jernigan, Troy
Damaris Johnson, Tulsa
Julio Jones, Alabama
Brandon LaFell, LSU
Detron Lewis, Texas Tech
Kerry Meier, Kansas
Dennis Pitta, BYU
Taylor Price, Ohio
Aldrick Robinson, SMU
Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo
Greg Salas, Hawaii
Jordan Shipley, Texas
Jacory Stone, Eastern Michigan
Golden Tate, Notre Dame
Damian Williams, USC
Stephen Williams, Toledo
Ryan Wolfe, UNLV
