Samuels Named To Biletnikoff Watch List

RALEIGH, N.C. - Two days after being named an ESPN Midseason All-American as a tight end, senior Jaylen Samuels has been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award - which honors the nation's top receiver. Samuels ranks fifth in the FBS with 8.3 receptions per game this week.

Created and sponsored by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., 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 the outstanding wide receiver.

Samuels is the only active player in the nation with 15+ career rushing TDs and 15+ career receiving TDs.  His 50 receptions at the halfway point of the regular season ranks 16th on the NC State single-season receptions list. The school record is 88 by Torry Holt, a 1998 Biletnikoff candidate.

The award recipient is selected by the National Selection Committee, a group of college football journalists, commentators, and former receivers.  The original preseason watch list was released on July 18 and nine additions were added this week.

Recently, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation opened the 2017 FanVote and FanForum. Every fan may vote once daily on the Biletnikoff Award FanVote page. The aggregate fan tally will be counted as one official vote to determine semi-finalists (10 receivers), finalists (three), and the winner. In the closest contest in years, the FanVote tally provided the one-vote margin of victory for 2013 winner Brandin Cooks of Oregon State. The Biletnikoff Award FanForum consists of fan-created discussion topics that allow sports fans to voice their opinions.

To access the Biletnikoff Award FanVote, go to http://biletnikoffaward.com/fan-vote.

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 - 9:00 p.m. (EST) on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer, Heisman Trophy winner, and Biletnikoff Award voter Desmond Howard will present the 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show.