TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - BYU wide receiver Mitch Mathews has been named to the 2015 Biletnikoff Award Watch List by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., recognizing the most outstanding receiver in college football.
At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Mathews has been a dominant big-play receiver for the Cougars. A 2015 Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent selection, Mathews led BYU in receiving with 73 receptions, 922 yards and nine touchdowns. He has caught a pass in 24 consecutive games. He caught a career-best 16 receptions for 182 yards vs. Nevada last season, the the second-most receptions in a single game in school history. Mathews earned Phil Steele All-Independent and College Sports Madness All-Independent honors in 2014.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely outstanding wide receiver.
The award recipient is selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group 275 prominent college football journalists, commentators and former receivers. Foundation trustees do not vote and have never voted. Additional receivers are periodically added to the watch list as their season performances dictate.
According to TQC Foundation Chairman Richard Chichetti, "Given the significant number of excellent college receivers returning this season, coupled with talented receivers who have heretofore played very little or are returning from injury, the contest for the 2015 Biletnikoff Award will be exciting and the award within the grasp of many outstanding receivers."
The 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 10, 2015, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be broadcast 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard will present the 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show.