Latest news with #Biletnikoff
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can UCLA's Kwazi Gilmer win the Biletnikoff Award? He's going to give it a go
Kwazi Gilmer, yearning to do something no other UCLA wide receiver has managed, unveiled a new play after practice Wednesday. Call it the go-for-it route. 'I want to go win the Biletnikoff,' Gilmer announced, 'so I'm coming for all the receivers out there.' Those are bold words for someone from a program whose closest association with the award that goes to the nation's top college receiver might have been former Bruins coach Dick Vermeil once delivering the keynote speech at the presentation banquet. No UCLA player has won the award that dates to 1994. Neither Gilmer nor any of his teammates made the award's 47-player preseason watch list, which is based on past performance. Players can be added during the season as their performance dictates. Gilmer's debut college season featured spectacular spurts, the freshman making 31 catches for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Emerging from a deep and experienced group of wide receivers, he started the final five games and increasingly became a go-to guy, snagging a season-high six catches for 54 yards in the finale against Fresno State. Making a serious run at the Biletnikoff would likely require the 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore to triple his production from 2024. Last season, Colorado's Travis Hunter won the award after logging 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gilmer said his skill, hands and overall technique have improved from a year ago. There's no debating that his swagger has increased exponentially. 'My freshman year, I just wanted to get my foot in the water,' Gilmer said. 'Now that I got it, it's over.' His candidacy was enhanced by the summer arrival of Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee, providing a prolific quarterback in search of a top option. Gilmer and the other receivers worked on timing and routes during player-run practices several times a week before the start of training camp late last month. Other wide receivers expected to play a significant role include California transfer Mikey Matthews, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Ezavier Staples and Rico Flores Jr. once Flores returns from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sometime this fall. 'We're trying to go win a natty,' Gilmer said of the players' mindset to win a national title, 'so let's get in as much work as we can.' Gilmer became an immediate favorite target of his new quarterback in training camp practices, repeatedly grabbing touchdown passes during the short viewing window open to reporters. The zip on Iamaleava's passes has proved a good match for the speedy wide receiver. 'It's probably one of the fastest balls I've ever seen from a quarterback,' Gilmer said. 'Right when you break, the thing's right there.' More help could come from a user-friendly offense. Gilmer described new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri's scheme as a better fit for the Bruins than predecessor Eric Bieniemy's. 'Tino, you know, he's been with Nick Saban, all of them [college coaches], so he knows what to do in college,' Gilmer said, 'and I feel like E.B. knows what to do in the NFL." Sunseri's scheme also doesn't use plays that require codebreaking. Read more: No man of mystery, UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava dazzles at training camp 'E.B.'s was like 17 words,' Gilmer said, 'to now, we're in signals. It's very fast. … Now it's, we're not in the huddle really, and it's just see the play, do it.' Will it lead to a special season? Can Gilmer achieve what decorated predecessors Craig Bragg, Danny Farmer, Jordan Payton and J.J. Stokes could not? He's certainly going for it. 'We're gonna see,' Gilmer said, 'how the season goes.' A line redrawn If the last week of practice is any indication, UCLA will have four new starters on its offensive line. The biggest surprise might be Oluwafunto Akinshilo replacing Sam Yoon at center after Akinshilo's impressive spring at the position carried over to training camp following a 2024 season in which he did not play. 'He's just doing a good job,' coach DeShaun Foster said of the redshirt junior, 'with the opportunity that he's had.' The other first-stringers in recent practices have included Courtland Ford at left tackle, Eugene Brooks at left guard, Julian Armella at right guard and Garrett DiGiorgio at right tackle. DiGiorgio is the only player in the group who started last season. This could challenge for the biggest starting offensive line in school history given that the five players average 6-5½ and 326 pounds. Foster confirmed that veteran interior offensive lineman Tai Marks, a former Mater Dei High standout, had signed with the team and was expected to arrive Thursday. Reportedly set to participate in training camp with Hawaii, Marks will instead join the Bruins after having spent three seasons at Tulsa and two at Colorado State. Etc. Foster said safety Key Lawrence should return soon from a minor right leg injury that has sidelined him the last three practices. Scooter Jackson, a transfer from Utah Tech, has played extensively in Lawrence's absence. … The tight ends have been the position group that's progressed the furthest in training camp, Foster said, largely based on the arrival of Pittsburgh transfer Jake Renda and the return of Hudson Habermehl from injury. … Kicker Mateen Bhaghani said he's made a successful transition to new holder Will Karoll. 'It'll only take a couple of times going out there and then we'll be dialed in,' said Bhaghani, who made 20 of 24 field goals last season. 'You know, to really just get that spot, like lean the ball how I want, but other than that it's not super difficult.' Sign up for UCLA sports for big game takeaways, recruiting buzz and more UCLA sports insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Can UCLA's Kwazi Gilmer win the Biletnikoff Award? He's going to give it a go
Kwazi Gilmer, yearning to do something no other UCLA wide receiver has managed, unveiled a new play after practice Wednesday. Call it the go-for-it route. 'I want to go win the Biletnikoff,' Gilmer announced, 'so I'm coming for all the receivers out there.' Those are bold words for someone from a program whose closest association with the award that goes to the nation's top college receiver might have been former Bruins coach Dick Vermeil once delivering the keynote speech at the presentation banquet. No UCLA player has won the award that dates to 1994. Neither Gilmer nor any of his teammates made the award's 47-player preseason watch list, which is based on past performance. Players can be added during the season as their performance dictates. Gilmer's debut college season featured spectacular spurts, the freshman making 31 catches for 345 yards and two touchdowns. Emerging from a deep and experienced group of wide receivers, he started the final five games and increasingly became a go-to guy, snagging a season-high six catches for 54 yards in the finale against Fresno State. Making a serious run at the Biletnikoff would likely require the 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore to triple his production from 2024. Last season, Colorado's Travis Hunter won the award after logging 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. Gilmer said his skill, hands and overall technique have improved from a year ago. There's no debating that his swagger has increased exponentially. 'My freshman year, I just wanted to get my foot in the water,' Gilmer said. 'Now that I got it, it's over.' His candidacy was enhanced by the summer arrival of Nico Iamaleava from Tennessee, providing a prolific quarterback in search of a top option. Gilmer and the other receivers worked on timing and routes during player-run practices several times a week before the start of training camp late last month. Other wide receivers expected to play a significant role include California transfer Mikey Matthews, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Ezavier Staples and Rico Flores Jr. once Flores returns from a torn anterior cruciate ligament sometime this fall. 'We're trying to go win a natty,' Gilmer said of the players' mindset to win a national title, 'so let's get in as much work as we can.' Gilmer became an immediate favorite target of his new quarterback in training camp practices, repeatedly grabbing touchdown passes during the short viewing window open to reporters. The zip on Iamaleava's passes has proved a good match for the speedy wide receiver. 'It's probably one of the fastest balls I've ever seen from a quarterback,' Gilmer said. 'Right when you break, the thing's right there.' More help could come from a user-friendly offense. Gilmer described new offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri's scheme as a better fit for the Bruins than predecessor Eric Bieniemy's. 'Tino, you know, he's been with Nick Saban, all of them [college coaches], so he knows what to do in college,' Gilmer said, 'and I feel like E.B. knows what to do in the NFL.' Sunseri's scheme also doesn't use plays that require codebreaking. 'E.B.'s was like 17 words,' Gilmer said, 'to now, we're in signals. It's very fast. … Now it's, we're not in the huddle really, and it's just see the play, do it.' Will it lead to a special season? Can Gilmer achieve what decorated predecessors Craig Bragg, Danny Farmer, Jordan Payton and J.J. Stokes could not? He's certainly going for it. 'We're gonna see,' Gilmer said, 'how the season goes.' If the last week of practice is any indication, UCLA will have four new starters on its offensive line. The biggest surprise might be Oluwafunto Akinshilo replacing Sam Yoon at center after Akinshilo's impressive spring at the position carried over to training camp following a 2024 season in which he did not play. 'He's just doing a good job,' coach DeShaun Foster said of the redshirt junior, 'with the opportunity that he's had.' The other first-stringers in recent practices have included Courtland Ford at left tackle, Eugene Brooks at left guard, Julian Armella at right guard and Garrett DiGiorgio at right tackle. DiGiorgio is the only player in the group who started last season. This could challenge for the biggest starting offensive line in school history given that the five players average 6-5½ and 326 pounds. Foster confirmed that veteran interior offensive lineman Tai Marks, a former Mater Dei High standout, had signed with the team and was expected to arrive Thursday. Reportedly set to participate in training camp with Hawaii, Marks will instead join the Bruins after having spent three seasons at Tulsa and two at Colorado State. Foster said safety Key Lawrence should return soon from a minor right leg injury that has sidelined him the last three practices. Scooter Jackson, a transfer from Utah Tech, has played extensively in Lawrence's absence. … The tight ends have been the position group that's progressed the furthest in training camp, Foster said, largely based on the arrival of Pittsburgh transfer Jake Renda and the return of Hudson Habermehl from injury. … Kicker Mateen Bhaghani said he's made a successful transition to new holder Will Karoll. 'It'll only take a couple of times going out there and then we'll be dialed in,' said Bhaghani, who made 20 of 24 field goals last season. 'You know, to really just get that spot, like lean the ball how I want, but other than that it's not super difficult.'
USA Today
10-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Ohio State football players named to 2025 Biletnikoff preseason watch list
As we continue to march on towards the start of the college football season and watch Ohio State do its thing on the national stage as the defending College Football Playoff national champions, we continue to receive announcements on the various preseason college football award watch lists. One of the latest list comes from the Biletnikoff Award, handed out annually by the Tallahassee Touchdown Club and given to the best college football wide receiver. And, if we're talking about receivers, there aren't any programs in America that can hold a candle to Ohio State over the last few years, and it's still going. This year, there are three pass catchers wearing scarlet and gray who have been named to the Biletnikoff preseason watch list, and that would of course be superstar Jeremiah Smith and his teammate Carnell Tate, but it also includes tight end Max Klare. They are a part of 46 names appearing on the list. Smith looks to build on arguably the best freshman season by a college football receiver ever, while Tate should have an opportunity to have a breakout season with the departure of Emeka Egbuka and the attention Smith will receive. He showed flashes of his potential last year and is primed to log plenty of snaps this season. Klare might be a surprise on this list, but he was an All-Big Ten performer last season for Purdue and considered one of the best tight ends in the country. With all the scheming opposing defenses will do to try and slow down Ohio State's receivers, he should be a chess piece the offensive coaches can use as a mismatch on less talented cover guys. The Biletnikoff will be announced on Dec. 11 during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. The Buckeyes have had two players win the award. Terry Glenn took it home in just the second year of the award in 1995, and then Marvin Harrison Jr. was honored after the 2023 season. Chances are good that OSU might take another get another one this season. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
08-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jack Endries continues to rack up preseason attention
New transfer, Jack Endries continues to garner preseason hype. He's been added to the Biletnikoff and Mackey Award watchlists. Jack Endries has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list 🤘@JackEndries x @biletnikoffawrd Texas has been busy getting news of their players being placed on different award watchlists and preseason All-American teams. Jack Endries has been at the center of that on both fronts, especially in the last couple of days. Endries has been placed on two major award watchlists as we head into the season, the Biletnikoff and Mackey Award watchlists. Jack Endries has been named to the Mackey Award watch list 🤘@JackEndries x @JohnMackeyAward The Biletnikoff is given out every year to the best pass catcher in the country(yes, TEs can win it, it's just very unlikely), while the Mackey is exclusively for the best TE in the country. Endries being on these lists is not too much of a surprise, but another great sign for the transfer from Cal. He has a 600+ yard season and a 400+ yard season to his name, and it's not far-fetched to think the best football is still ahead of him. Obviously, it is fair to say the Mackey Award is much more in reach for Endries this year, and I would say he's one of the favorites there. His 1,030 career receiving yards lead returning TEs in the country and heading into the TE-friendly Texas offense, it's not crazy to think he'll top his past marks this year. Endries is one of my favorite pieces that Texas added this offseason and it's being noticed by the national awards. Semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award will be announced on Nov. 25, and a final vote to determine the winner will take place from Nov. 25-Dec. 6. The winner will be announced on Dec. 12 as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. If Endries was able to win the Biletnikoff, it would be Texas' first of all-time. For the Mackey Award, The recipient of the award will be presented at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Friday, Dec. 12, on ESPN. We will see if a Longhorn can take home the Mackey Award for the first time ever as well.
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Travis Hunter makes CBS Sports' top 10 most dynamic college football players since 2000
Travis Hunter makes CBS Sports' top 10 most dynamic college football players since 2000 Former Colorado Buffaloes superstar Travis Hunter is without question the top two-way player in college football history. But does that mean he is the most dynamic? CBS Sports' Brad Crawford ranked the 25 most dynamic college football players over the past 25 years, and Hunter, the lone Colorado Buffalo on the list, came in at No. 6. Running back Reggie Bush (USC) ranked No. 1, followed by quarterbacks Cam Newton (Auburn), Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M), Lamar Jackson (Louisville) and Vince Young (Texas). Former Oklahoma standout running back Adrian Peterson fell one spot behind Hunter at No. 7. Perhaps Crawford ranking Hunter only at No. 6 has something to do with how he defines "dynamic." He wrote that he prioritized players who "jumped off the screen" in big games or demonstrated their dominance with elite athleticism, speed, or talent. Hunter did not play in many big games at Colorado, but his athleticism and talent checked Crawford's criteria. No recency bias here -- when you become the first player in history to win the Bednarik and the Biletnikoff, it sticks. Hunter's Heisman win last season was unprecedented as the two-way starter played considerably more snaps than any player in college football history during a single season. He was special with the ball in his hands and made it a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks with ball skills and closing speed at cornerback that was second to none. In his final season at Colorado, Hunter racked up 96 receptions for 1,258 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns on offense while adding 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups, four interceptions and a forced fumble. His Heisman-winning junior season propelled him to the top of NFL draft boards, ultimately leading to him becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft. Hunter is attempting to become the first full-time two-way player in the NFL and has been working at both wide receiver and cornerback during the Jacksonville Jaguars' offseason practices. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
