LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III has been added to the official Watch List of the Biletnikoff Award, The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announced Wednesday.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award.
White, a former Michigan State transfer from Marietta, Georgia, has been on a receiving tear of late, compiling 565 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games alone. The reigning Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week now leads the conference with 98.2 yards per game through the air, which ranks 11th in the nation. The junior, who has 55 receptions, needs just 116 more yards to become the program's first 1,000-yard receiver since 2013.
The award is named in honor of Fred Biletnikoff, who is a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978.
The semifinalists (announced November 20), finalists (announced November 28), and award recipient (announced December 7) are selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 650 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. Recently, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation opened the 2023 FanVote. Every fan may vote once daily on the Biletnikoff Award FanVote page. The aggregate fan tally will be counted as one official vote to determine semi-finalists, finalists (three receivers), and the winner.
UNLV (7-2/4-1), which has already clinched a winning record for the first time since 2013 and is receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll, next hosts Wyoming on Friday night in a key conference clash. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. and tickets are on sale by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.
