The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Watkins Jr. Named to Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
7/16/2020 7:32:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Conference USA's top returning receiver Austin Watkins Jr. has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, which is annually presented to college football's most outstanding receiver by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.
Watkins Jr. is the only returning player in Conference USA who had over 1,000 receiving yards last year. The Miami native hauled in 57 catches for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns, and in the process became just the third player in program history to have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
Watkins Jr. is one of 55 players named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List and one of five from C-USA. Joining Watkins Jr. from Conference USA is Jaelon Darden (North Texas), Tim Jones (Southern Miss), Bradley Rozner (Rice) and Victor Tucker (Charlotte).
Highlighting Watkins' junior year was three 100-yard receiving performances, including a career high 167 yards at UTSA and a huge performance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. No. 20 Appalachian State, hauling in a career best 10 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Dating back to his 2018 redshirt campaign in which he played the first four games, Watkins Jr. enters 2020 with a reception streak of 18-straight games.
The Biletnikoff winner will be announced on December 10 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.
The 2020 recipient will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by TQC Foundation Chairman George Avant, Jr., keynoter and college hall of famer Chad Hennings, and college and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff before 550 patrons at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
Watkins Jr. is one of nine returning starters on offense for the Blazers. UAB returns 18 starters overall and looks to win its third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
Watkins Jr. is the only returning player in Conference USA who had over 1,000 receiving yards last year. The Miami native hauled in 57 catches for 1,092 yards and six touchdowns, and in the process became just the third player in program history to have over 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
Watkins Jr. is one of 55 players named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List and one of five from C-USA. Joining Watkins Jr. from Conference USA is Jaelon Darden (North Texas), Tim Jones (Southern Miss), Bradley Rozner (Rice) and Victor Tucker (Charlotte).
Highlighting Watkins' junior year was three 100-yard receiving performances, including a career high 167 yards at UTSA and a huge performance in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl vs. No. 20 Appalachian State, hauling in a career best 10 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Dating back to his 2018 redshirt campaign in which he played the first four games, Watkins Jr. enters 2020 with a reception streak of 18-straight games.
The Biletnikoff winner will be announced on December 10 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.
The 2020 recipient will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by TQC Foundation Chairman George Avant, Jr., keynoter and college hall of famer Chad Hennings, and college and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff before 550 patrons at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, March 6, 2021.
Watkins Jr. is one of nine returning starters on offense for the Blazers. UAB returns 18 starters overall and looks to win its third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
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