Baylor’s Cannon, Coleman Recognized On Biletnikoff Watch List
Bears only school in Big 12 with two receivers on preseason list.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Baylor receivers KD Cannon and Corey Coleman each secured a spot on the 2015 Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, released by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation Wednesday. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding receiver in college football.
Cannon played in all 13 games, while starting seven, in a breakout true freshman season for the 2014 Big 12 champions. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors and consensus Freshman All-America honors. Cannon totaled 1,030 yards and eight TDs on 58 receptions. He set six school records, including a freshman-high 58 single-season receptions. Cannon finished the year ranked sixth in the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,030), sixth in yards-per-reception (17.8) and seventh in receiving TDs (eight), while leading the NCAA in receptions of 60 yards or longer (four), 70 yards or longer (three) and 80 yards or longer (two).
Coleman played in the final 10 games, and started six, in his sophomore season. He garnered All-American honorable mention accolades and consensus All-Big 12 honors, while being a semifinalist for the 2014 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. In 2014, Coleman posted 1,119 yards and 11 TDs on 64 receptions. He ranked seventh nationally (second in Big 12) with 111.9 receiving yards/game, 12th nationally (first in Big 12) with 11 receiving TDs and 19th nationally (third in Big 12) with 1,119 receiving yards. He ranked third in the NCAA in receptions of 40 yards or longer (10) and fourth in 30 yards or longer (13). Coleman accomplished all of the above, while sitting out the season’s first three games recovering from a hamstring injury.
This season, the Biletnikoff Award watch list includes 48 players, while Cannon and Coleman are two of five receivers from the Big 12 Conference to make the list. The Bears are the only team in the Big 12 and the only team in Texas with two receivers up for the honor. BU has now had two receivers on the preseason list for two straight seasons.
Last season, seniors Antwan Goodley and Levi Norwood were recognized on the preseason list, while Tevin Reese represented the Bears in 2013. Former Bear Terrance Williams was one of three finalists for the award in 2012, and Kendall Wright was a semifinalist in 2011.
Any player at any position who catches a pass is eligible for consideration for the Biletnikoff Award. The award recipient is selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group 275 prominent college football journalists, commentators, and former receivers. Receivers may be added to the watch list as their season performances dictate.
The 2015 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on Dec. 10, on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the 10 Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on Nov. 16, following the vote by the 275 members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee. Likewise, the three finalists will be declared, following another vote, on Nov. 24.
The award is named for Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, who was an All-Pro receiver with the Oakland Raiders and an All-America receiver at Florida State. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.
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