Walley Makes Biletnikoff Award Watch List
July 26, 2021 | Football
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.
Walley became the first true freshman to lead MSU in receiving yardage since Chad Bumphis (375) in 2009, and his 718 yards were an MSU freshman record. He ranked third among FBS freshmen with 52 catches, which trailed only MSU true freshman running back Jo'quavious Marks among SEC freshmen and ranked ninth in the league overall. He finished second among SEC freshmen with 65.3 receiving yards per game fourth in yards per catch (13.8).
Walley posted breakout performances down the stretch for State, leading MSU in both receptions and yards at No. 13 Georgia (Nov. 21), at Ole Miss (Nov. 28) and against Auburn (Dec. 12) and Missouri (Dec. 19). He Turned in four consecutive 100-yard receiving games and became the second freshman in MSU history with multiple 100-yard receiving games in the same year (Mardye McDole, 2 games, 1977). He was the only true freshman in the nation in 2020 to record 50+ receptions and 700+ receiving yards.
The semifinalists, finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 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.
The 2021 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
(Other receivers will be added as their season performances dictate)
Jordan Addison, Pitt
Calvin Austin III, Memphis
David Bell, Purdue
Ronnie Bell, Michigan
Max Borghi, Washington State
Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Treylon Burks, Arkansas
Elijah Cooks, Nevada
Jacob Cowing, UTEP
Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Jahan Dotson, Penn State
Romeo Doubs, Nevada
Emeka Emezie, NC State
Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Zakhari Franklin, UTSA
Ty Fryfogle, Indiana
Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech
Justin Hall, Ball State
Mike Harley, Miami
Taj Harris, Syracuse
Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina
Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
Johnny Johnson III, Oregon
Billy Kemp IV, Virginia
Charlie Kolar, Iowa State
Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
Drake London, USC
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Bo Melton, Rutgers
John Metchie III, Alabama
Marvin Mims, Oklahoma
Chris Olave, Ohio State
Sam Pinckney, Georgia State
Rashee Rice, SMU
Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest
Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU
Jaylon Robinson, UCF
Gunner Romney, BYU
Justyn Ross, Clemson
Bradley Rozner, Rice
Khalil Shakir, Boise State
Keylon Stokes, Tulsa
Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama Cole
Turner, Nevada
Jaden Walley, Mississippi State
Tahj Washington, USC
Garrett Wilson, Ohio State
Michael Wilson, Stanford
Mike Woods, Oklahoma
Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M
