Five Big 12 Pass Catchers Named to 2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Preseason Awards Watchlists are coming out left and right and today the 2022 Biletnikoff Award preseason watchlist was released featuring 43 of the nation’s top pass catchers.
The list is headlined by players like Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and USC’s Jordan Addison, who’s controversial transference from Pittsburgh to Southern Cal sent NIL shockwaves across America. Addison was the recipient of the Biletnikoff Award last season after an outstanding year with the Panthers.
While he is a terrific player, let’s not forget that the Big 12 has perhaps some of the top wideouts in the country as well, and five of them made the list.
First is Iowa State WR Xavier Hutchinson, who is expected to have a monster year in Ames. A First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2021, Hutchinson led the Big 12 and set an Iowa State single-season record with 83 receptions and will be a major part of what the Cyclones do on offense in 2022.
Next is TCU WR Quentin Johnston, who led the Horned Frogs in receiving yards (634), yards per reception (19.2), and touchdown catches (6) last season. His 6-4, 212 pound frame is a nightmare for opposing defenders and he could be due for a massive year in Sonny Dykes’ offense.
The next name mentioned is Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims, who could also see an increase in production after a coaching change. Under Jeff Lebby, the Sooners leading receiver from a year ago could blossom into one of the premiere receiving threats in the country, which is scary when you consider he led the Big 12 and ranked fourth nationally in 2021 with 22.0 yards per reception on 32 catches for 704 yards.
The Texas Longhorns had two players make the Biletnikoff watchlist with Wyoming transfer Isaiah Neyor and returning star Xavier Worthy both being recognized. Neyor is coming off a massive year where he hauled in 44 receptions for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns for Wyoming, all of which led his team. Worthy on the other hand burst onto the scene in Austin last year as a freshman with 62 receptions for 981 yards and 12 touchdowns, a single-season freshman record in all three categories. His performance in 2021 earned him the title of AP Big 12 Newcomer of the Year and set sky-high expectations for the sophomore in 2022.
Here’s a link if you would like to take a look at the full 2022 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watchlist.