Biletnikoff Award Watch List: Ranking the Top 10 Candidates

The wide receiver is one of the most glorified positions in all of football. And having a great receiver on your team can really take your offense to the next level.

There is nothing better than giving your quarterback a sure-handed weapon to throw the ball to, making his job much easier.

The Fred Biletnikoff Award is given each year to the best college receiver in the country at the end of the season, and was first introduced in 1994.

The 2012 watch list for the Biletnikoff Award has just been released, but with many to choose from for this prestigious award, here are your top 10 candidates for the 2012 Biletnikoff.

10. Da’Rick Rogers, Tennessee

Da’Rick Rogers was a first-year starter last season and really stood out with his first opportunity of extended playing time.

He led the SEC with 67 receptions and 1,040 receiving yards, and finished second in the conference in receiving touchdowns with nine.

Rogers is a big body at 6'3", 215 pounds and should have another productive season his junior year.

9. Josh Boyce, TCU

Josh Boyce fell two yards shy of becoming just the second TCU receiver to rack up 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

Still, he finished the 2011 season with 61 receptions for 998 yards and nine touchdowns, which was good enough to make him a first-team All-Mountain West selection.

Heading into the Big 12, where most teams aren't known for defense, Boyce should continue to shine for the Horned Frogs.

8. Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

With Ryan Broyles no longer in the picture for Oklahoma, Kenny Stills will be the receiver expected to step up in 2012.

Stills has been a consistent receiver throughout his career, hauling in 122 passes for 1,635 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in just two seasons. But those numbers are with a true No. 1 wide receiver sharing the field.

The junior is a talented wideout, but it will be interesting to see how he accepts the new challenge.

7. Marquess Wilson, Washington State

Marquess Wilson set Washington State single-season records last season with 82 receptions and 1,388 receiving yards.

He finished the year with six 100-yard receiving games and was named to the second-team All-Pac-12.

Now playing for a great offensive mind such as Mike Leach, Wilson should continue to thrive for the Cougars.

6. Tavarres King, Georgia

Tavarres King is really due for a breakout season. He has one of the best quarterbacks in Aaron Murray throwing him the ball and has experience heading into his fifth season.

King had his most productive year last season, catching 47 passes for 705 yards and eight touchdowns.

With many inexperienced receivers on this Georgia roster, King will get plenty of looks in 2012 and should have the best year yet.

5. Keenan Allen, California

With many high-scoring offenses in the Pac-12, Kennan Allen may not get the respect he deserves, but this is a receiver who caught 98 passes last season as a sophomore.

He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection and one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award in 2011.

At 6'3" and having Zach Maynard returning at quarterback, the Golden Bears are in for a surprise season in 2012.

4. Justin Hunter, Tennessee

Justin Hunter only played two-and-a-half games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. But he got off to a terrific start, hauling in 17 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns.

Hunter is a special receiver at 6'4" and as athletic as you will find at the position. If he is fully removed from his torn ACL, Hunter is a name you will become extremely familiar with in 2012.

3. Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Tavon Austin nearly doubled his production in 2011, hauling in 101 receptions for 1,186 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

He was also a huge factor on special teams for the Mountaineers and was a first-team All-American, as well as first-team All-Big East.

Austin is not the biggest receiver at 5'9", but he is one of the most elusive and has game-changing speed. He will fit in great in West Virginia's first year in the Big 12 Conference.

2. Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

Texas A&M's Ryan Swope has been one of the more consistent players D-1 football the last two seasons. In his three-year career, he has hauled in 180 receptions for 2,204 yards and 16 touchdowns.

At 6'1", 206 pounds, Swope will be the go-to-guy for the Texas A&M offense and should compete at the highest level against SEC defenses.

1. Robert Woods, USC

Even with Marqise Lee on the Trojans roster, junior wideout Robert Woods is still the king on their offense. Woods and quarterback Matt Barkley have a connection like none other, teaming up 111 times for 15 touchdowns last season.

Woods was a first-team All-American and a first-team All-Pac 12 player last season, and just lost out to OK State's Justin Blackmon for the Biletnikoff.

Woods is as sure-handed as you are going to find, has the top quarterback throwing his way, and has been consistent enough to be a favorite for the 2012 Biletnikoff Award.