2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, the Creator and Sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, Recognizing the College Football Season’s Outstanding FBS Receiver at Any Position, Announces the 2026 Preseason Biletnikoff Award Watch List
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. 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 college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver. Tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist in 2020 and other tight ends were semifinalists in prior and subsequent years. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award is a single season, not career, award.
Frank Coyle has been a longtime voter in the Biletnifott Award. He considers this award one of the most critical positions which translates to the NFL game.
The Biletnikoff Award’s semifinalists, three finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 625 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. Foundation trustees do not vote and have never voted. For a list of voters, please see BiletnikoffAward.com/voters.
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
Important Dates
Aug. 19, 2026:
Preseason Watch List announcement
Sept. 23, 2026:
FanVote opens
Nov. 9 – 15, 2026:
Vote by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee to determine Semifinalists
Nov. 16, 2026:
Semifinalists announcement
Nov. 16 – 22, 2026:
Vote to determine 3 Finalists
Nov. 24, 2026:
3 Finalists announcement
Nov. 24 – Dec. 5, 2026 :
Final vote to determine Biletnikoff Award Winner
Dec. 11, 2026:
Biletnikoff Award Winner announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards
The Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration
honors the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Winner on Saturday, March 20, 2027, at the basketball arena at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida 32301
