10 Best Candidates Named to 2013 Biletnikoff Award Watch List

The Biletnikoff Award is one of the most predictable awards in college football. It's easy to discover who the best receiver in college football is, and the selection committee rewards the correct choice more times than not. There aren't many surprises, as two players have won the award twice (Michael Crabtree and Justin Blackmon) in the last six years.

Marqise Lee of USC took home the hardware last season.

The watch list for this year's award has been released by biletnikoffaward.com, and while there are countless talented players listed, don't expect an upset to happen. There are only a few receivers who have a realistic chance of winning the award, and the odds are great that last year's winner wins it yet again. 

10. Dorial Green-Beckham, Sophomore, Missouri

If you are looking for a sleeper to win the award, Dorial Green-Beckham is your guy. He was arguably the top recruit of the 2012 recruiting class and had ridiculous expectations coming out of high school.

Green-Beckham didn't get off to a fast start, but he finished the season strong. He caught 21 passes in his final five games and hauled in four touchdowns in his final three games. He has unbelievable size at 6'6" and terrific speed to match.

Missouri is getting its quarterback back in James Franklin, which should help Green-Beckham's production. Also, it helps to have a full season under his belt, along with the fact that expectations aren't as high as they once were. Green-Beckham is an underdog who shouldn't be slept on.

9. Stefon Diggs, Sophomore, Maryland

There are a couple of things holding back wide receiver Stefon Diggs from winning the award. One of them is that he plays for Maryland, a team that isn't going to win many games. He also had to overcome playing with numerous quarterbacks due to injuries.

The lack of victories and consistency doesn't help his chances at all.

Still, Diggs is one of the most explosive players in the country. As a freshman last year, he averaged 15.7 yards per catch and had six touchdowns on 54 receptions. He also rushed for 114 yards and was a factor on special teams.

Diggs is fast and doesn't need much room to go the distance. If Maryland can find luck at quarterback, he has a chance to win the Biletnikoff Award.

8. Cody Hoffman, Senior, BYU

Cody Hoffman has been as consistent as any player in the country the last three seasons. He's caught 203 passes for 2,718 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career. What's impressive is that he improves each season.

Last year, Hoffman caught 100 passes for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns. He doesn't talk a lot and isn't flashy; he just goes out there and produces each week at a high level. He finished the final three games with 35 receptions, 451 yards and five touchdowns.

BYU isn't a sexy program and Hoffman certainly doesn't have the "wow" factor voters are looking for, but it's hard to ignore the consistent production over his career.

7. Allen Robinson, Junior, Penn State

Allen Robinson has to be the most underrated receiver in the country. Maybe it's because he plays for a team that is banned from the postseason, so many don't even bother paying attention? Is it because the Big Ten isn't notorious for producing terrific wide receivers?

Whatever the reason, Robinson is one of the top players at his position.

Last season, Robinson caught 77 passes for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns. He led the Big Ten in all major statistical categories, including average receiving yards per game with 84.8.

Robinson is by far the best receiver in his conference and has a real shot of becoming the first Nittany Lion to win the Biletnikoff Award since Bobby Engram in 1994.

6. Jordan Matthews, Senior, Vanderbilt

Who would have ever thought that a Vanderbilt receiver would have a shot to win the Biletnikoff Award? Don't laugh. Jordan Matthews will make a legit case this season.

The senior has one of the best skill sets in the country. At 6'3" and with great hands, Matthews could have left early for the NFL draft and would have been selected fairly early. He finished last season with 94 receptions, 1,323 yards and eight touchdowns. His average of 101.8 receiving yards per game was second highest in the SEC.

Matthews is a great talent who plays for an up-and-coming team. The more attention Vanderbilt receives, the greater the chances Matthews can shock college football by winning the award.

5. Mike Evans, Sophomore, Texas A&M

Mike Evans was a tremendous help to Texas A&M and did his part to help Johnny Manziel win the Heisman. He finished his freshman season with 82 receptions, 1,105 yards and five touchdowns. He proved to be Manziel's favorite target by catching at least five passes in all but one game.

Evans is a huge target at 6'5" and has a strong upper body. He catches the ball well away from his body and runs well for a man his size. Evans moved the chains on 52 of his receptions and averaged 13.5 yards per catch.

Manziel will continue to steal some of the shine from Evans, but voters are well aware of the Aggies' top wide receiver.

4. Josh Stewart, Junior, Oklahoma State

The Big 12 lost plenty of great receivers to the NFL draft, including Terrance Williams, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. This provides a chance for Josh Stewart to make a name for himself and shine above the rest of the pack.

Last season, Stewart caught 101 passes for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns. He also rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown. However, Stewart didn't get the attention he deserved due to other receivers outshining his production.

Stewart is the next great receiver in line for Oklahoma State and will have plenty of opportunities in a pass-happy offense. Justin Blackmon won the award twice for the Cowboys, and now Stewart will have his shot.

3. Sammy Watkins, Junior, Clemson

Sammy Watkins remains one of the more explosive players in the country.

Last season was a down year for the playmaker, but he still finished with 57 receptions, 708 yards and three touchdowns. A total of eight of those receptions produced 25 or more yards. Keep in mind, those numbers were accumulated in only nine games.

Watkins is a nightmare in the open field and a threat to score any time he touches the ball. He will also be the leader of the offense now that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins left early for the NFL. Watkins should earn plenty of looks and will have a chance to produce off-the-wall statistics in an offensive-friendly system.

2. Amari Cooper, Sophomore, Alabama

Alabama has its first real shot of producing a Biletnikoff Award winner in Amari Cooper, who really made a name for himself his freshman season. He finished the year with 59 receptions, 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was an explosive receiver and played a big role in helping the Tide win their second consecutive national championship.

Cooper has tremendous speed and consistently beats defenses deep. The big plays and deep balls are flashy and play into his favor. He had 14 plays of 25 or more yards.

With a reliable quarterback in AJ McCarron, Cooper has solidified himself as one of the top receivers in the country and somebody who can truly win the Biletnikoff Award.

1. Marqise Lee, Junior, USC

The Biletnikoff Award has a history of rewarding the award to the same receiver twice, as Michael Crabtree and Justin Blackmon have both been named the nation's top receiver in back-to-back seasons.

Marqise Lee has a fabulous chance of repeating history.

Last year's award winner returns as the top receiver in the country. He is almost impossible to cover one-on-one, his leaping ability is through the roof and he is explosive after the catch. Lee caught 118 passes for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. USC is limited at receiver due to injuries, so he is sure to earn plenty of looks again this year.

Don't be surprised when Lee wins the award for a second straight season.

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