Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter was named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist on Tuesday morning, along with 10 of college football's top receivers.
The award, named after Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, has honored the best wide receiver in the FBS since 1994. Biletnikoff attended Florida State University from 1962-1964 and left the school with countless records, like the most receiving yards (192) and touchdowns (four) in a bowl game at the time.
Similar to Hunter, the Florida State alum played both receiver and cornerback in 1963; however, it was his only collegiate or professional season in which he played on both sides of the ball. Hunter is now in his third collegiate season of playing both ways and his statistics have proven that he can consistently compete at the highest level on offense and defense.
Yet, only Hunter’s receiving statistics matter in his push for the Biletnikoff award. The junior Swiss Army knife leads the Buffaloes in receptions (74), receiving yards (911) and receiving touchdowns (nine). He is among the top 10 FBS leaders in receptions and receiving touchdowns. One of Hunter’s best games of the year featured him hauling in nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns on Oct. 26 against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Some other Biletnikoff Award semifinalists include San Jose State’s Nick Nash, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr., Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Maryland’s Tai Felton.
Nash leads the FBS in receptions (95), receiving yards (1,282) and receiving touchdowns (14). The senior has played with the Spartans since 2019, yet has recorded over 60% of his career receptions and yards this season.
Fannin Jr. is ranked second in the FBS in receiving yards (1,170) and third in receptions (83). The tight end is putting up higher numbers than all of the nation's best receivers except for Nash.
McMillan has 69 receptions, 1,136 receiving yards (third in FBS) and seven receiving touchdowns.
Felton is second in the FBS in receptions with 86 and fourth in receiving yards (1,040). The senior is having a breakout season, already producing more receptions and yards than he did in his first three seasons with Maryland.
Of the 11 semifinalists in 2024, none of them have been named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist before. But McMillan and Ole Miss’ Tre Harris were both named to the 2023 Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
College football's best receivers have two weeks left to prove why they deserve to be the 2024 Biletnikoff Award winner.
Cover photo by Ryan Asaro/Sko Buffs Sports
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