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The Rise continues to be recognized. Colorado Buffaloes wide receivers Shay Fields and Devin Ross were named to the 2017 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List Tuesday by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.
Fields led the Buffs in receiving last season with 56 receptions, 883 yards and nine touchdowns. They were the best totals of his collegiate career along as he lead all Pac-12 receivers with a 15.8 yards per catch average. His 1,967 receiving yards ranks tenth in CU history and he is seventh in touchdowns (17) and sixth in receptions (148).
Ross’ numbers improved from 2015 as he led the Buffs with 69 receptions, fourth most in the conference. He finished second on the team with 787 yards and five touchdowns. He’s currently tied for 15th all-time in receptions (97) with his coach Darrin Chiaverini.
Fields and Ross join Rae Carruth (1996, one of three finalists), Scotty McKnight (2010, Pre-season), Paul Richardson (2013, Pre-season) and Nelson Spruce (2014, one of 10 semifinalists) as the only six CU players to ever make the Biletnikoff watch list. Colorado was one of five schools in the nation to have two players named to a pre-season list.
2017 Biletnikoff Pre-season Watch List (45)
Sergio Bailey II, Eastern Michigan
Linell Bonner, Houston
Adam Breneman, Massachusetts
Ventell Bryant, Temple
Deon Cain, Clemson
Keke Coutee, Texas Tech
Deondre Douglas, Troy
Jonathan Duhart, Old Dominion
Shay Fields, Colorado
Michael Gallup, Colorado State
James Gardner, Miami (Ohio)
Devin Gray, Cincinnati
Andy Isabella, Massachusetts
Richie James, Middle Tennessee
KeeSean Johnson, Fresno State
Jon'Vea Johnson, Toledo
Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
Allen Lazard, Iowa State
Tavares Martin Jr., Washington State
Jalen McCleskey, Oklahoma State
Anthony Miller, Memphis
Scott Miller, Bowling Green
J'Mon Moore, Missouri
Dante Pettis, Washington
Ervin Philips, Syracuse
Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech
T.J. Rahming, Duke
Ahmmon Richards, Miami
Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Demetris Robertson, California
Devin Ross, Colorado
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Steven Sims Jr., Kansas
Tre'Quan Smith, UCF
Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame
Allenzae Staggers, Southern Miss
Courtland Sutton, SMU
Cody Thompson, Toledo
Emanuel Thompson, Troy
James Washington, Oklahoma State
Jester Weah, Pitt
Nick Westbrook, Indiana
Jimmy Williams, East Carolina
Corey Willis, Central Michigan
Cedrick Wilson, Boise State
About the Biletnikoff Award
Since 1994, the Biletnikoff Award has been selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee made from a group of journalists, commentators, and former receivers. Biletnikoff Foundation trustees do not vote in the process. Here’s a list of voters.
“The Foundation, when appropriate, will add receivers to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, based upon performance, without prejudice up to the commencement of voting by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award will carefully evaluate the on-the-field performance during the current season of any receiver returning from serious injury from the spring or prior season before making a decision regarding inclusion on the watch list. The transparently detailed and explicit criteria for candidate eligibility, watch list inclusion, and voting appear”
List of Blietnikoff Award criteria
The 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 7, 2017, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show to be broadcast 7:00-9:00pm(EST) on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard will present the 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show. Howard is one of only 5 ends or receivers who has won the Heisman Trophy, joining Larry Kelley, Leon Hart, Johnny Rodgers, and Tim Brown.