Biletnikoff Award Watch List 2014: Full List Released

No shortage of big names have won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in college football over the two decades of its existence. Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson highlight the star-studded group.

Last season, it was Brandin Cooks of Oregon State who earned the honor before getting drafted in the first round by the New Orleans Saints. He marked the fourth straight winner to accumulate at least 110 catches during the season. Just two of the first 16 winners reached that plateau.

It gives every wide receiver and tight end around the nation a benchmark for what they need to accomplish to become a contender in 2014. Furthermore, without clear favorite, the Biletnikoff Award race should be one of the most heated throughout the campaign.

With that in mind, here's a look at the preseason watch list as announced by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation:

Player	School	Year	Player	School	Year
Nelson Agholor	University of Southern California	Jr.	Darius Joseph	Southern Methodist University	Jr.
Dres Anderson	University of Utah	Sr.	Jameon Lewis	Mississippi State University	Sr.
Kenny Bell	University of Nebraska	Sr.	Tyler Lockett	Kansas State University	Sr.
Tyler Boyd	University of Pittsburgh	So.	Matt Miller	Boise State University	Sr.
Da’Ron Brown	Northern Illinois University	Sr.	Ty Montgomery	Stanford University	Sr.
Rashon Ceaser	University of Louisiana at Monroe	Jr.	Richard Mullaney	Oregon State University	Jr.
Sammie Coates	Auburn University	Jr.	Jamarcus Nelson	University of Alabama at Birmingham	Sr.
Amari Cooper	University of Alabama	Sr.	Levi Norwood	Baylor University	Sr.
Jamison Crowder	Duke University	Sr.	DeVante Parker	University of Louisville	Sr.
Titus Davis	Central Michigan University	Sr.	Breshad Perriman	University of Central Florida	Jr.
Geremy Davis	University of Connecticut	Sr.	Jamal Robinson	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	Sr.
Devante Davis	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Sr.	Ezell Ruffin	San Diego State University	Sr.
Quinshad Davis	University of North Carolina	Jr.	Dominic Rufran	University of Wyoming	Sr.
Corey Davis	Western Michigan University	So.	Wes Saxton	University of South Alabama	Jr.
Stefon Diggs	University of Maryland	Jr.	Jaxon Shipley	University of Texas	Sr.
Devin Funchess	University of Michigan	Jr.	Tommy Shuler	Marshall University	Sr.
Antwan Goodley	Baylor University	Sr.	Devin Smith	Ohio State University	Jr.
Jakeem Grant	Texas Tech University	Jr.	Shavarez Smith	University of South Alabama	Jr.
Deontay Greenberry	University of Houston	Jr.	Daniel Spencer	University of Houston	Sr.
Rashad Greene	Florida State University	Sr.	Jaelen Strong	Arizona State University	Jr.
Rannell Hall	University of Central Florida	Sr.	Jordan Taylor	Rice University	Sr.
Justin Hardy	East Carolina University	Sr.	Laquon Treadwell	University of Mississippi	So.
Josh Harper	California State University, Fresno	Sr.	Richy Turner	University of Nevada	Sr.
Chris Harper	University of California	Jr.	Shaq Washington	University of Cincinnati	Sr.
Nick Harwell	University of Kansas	Sr.	Jordan Williams	Ball State University	Jr.
Rashard Higgins	Colorado State University	So.	Tyler Winston	San Jose State University	So.
Austin Hill	University of Arizona	Sr.	Shane Wynn	Indiana University	Sr.
Christian Jones	Northwestern University	Sr.

As usual, the initial list of contenders casts a wide net over the top receivers in the country. Players can always get added during the course of the season, which is a strong possibility this season given the wide-open nature of the race.

Of those named on the first watch list a couple do stand out from the crowd.

Tyler Lockett of Kansas State is certainly among that group. The senior made 81 catches for over 1,250 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. All of those numbers were more than double the next closest receiver on the Wildcats' roster.

He should once again remain the clear No. 1 in the passing game. Working with quarterback Jake Waters for a second straight year should allow the duo the build off their success and push Lockett further into the national spotlight.

The versatile wideout told Chris Johnson of Sports Illustrated that he expects the offense to hit the ground running this season:

"

I think that we'll just be able to pick up where we left off and just continue to go in from there. I think that we can't do anything else but improve and I think that's what's going to help us out in the long run.

"

Given last season's success and the room for improvement that still exists, Lockett's final numbers should definitely be in the same range as recent Biletnikoff Award winners.

Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell is another player to watch closely. His freshman season seen him catch 72 passes for over 600 yards and five touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, but they only scratch the surface of his potential.

With Donte Moncrief having moved on to the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Treadwell should take on a much bigger role in the Rebels' offense this season. He should be one of the season's biggest breakout stars and a Biletnikoff contender.

Perhaps the most interesting case is Amari Cooper of Alabama.

He plays a critical role in helping the Crimson Tide keep drives alive with key grabs. The question is whether the Alabama approach, which is still based on establishing the run and strong defense, will prevent him from putting up the necessary overall numbers.

Cooper did reach 1,000 yards as a freshman, but dropped below 750 last season. He should bounce back, but whether it will be enough to contend for the award is up in the air. Either way, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com is bullish about his long-term outlook:

"

Although his production and performance fell short of expectations a season ago, NFL scouts should be excited about his potential based on my film study. Cooper is a talented No. 1 receiver with a fundamentally sound game that should allow him to quickly blossom into an elite receiver at the next level.

"

He will be one of the most important wideouts in America. Where that translates into awards depends exactly how involved he becomes in the offense.

Other notable names to keep tabs on include Nelson Agholor (USC), Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh), Stefon Diggs (Maryland), Antwan Goodley (Baylor) and Ty Montgomery (Stanford). More players will surely join the list by the end of the first month.

There may not be an established player to beat this season, but the amount of receiving depth ensures whoever ends up winning the Biletnikoff Award will have earned it.