Adding your name to a list of past greatness is an achievement few college football players earn the honor of. Every season, we see amazing statistical seasons, some of which come out of nowhere to put their names in the ring with the best.
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in American college football. The most recent award winner was Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., up against LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. As most of you will remember, all three finalists became top 10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Marvin Harrison Jr. won the @biletnikoffawrd tonight. 🏆
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) December 9, 2023
He is the second @OhioStateFB player to win the award, joining the late Terry Glenn. pic.twitter.com/vwEnejzKqo
That’s not the story for every receiver who wins the award, but there’s a rich recent history of first-rounders who were winners. This year's finalists include Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, and Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter.
Nash led the country in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns on his way to being named a finalist for the award. He had a streak of 10 straight games with a touchdown this season, only broken in a loss where his quarterback completed four passes against UNLV. He was one of the most dominant receivers in the country.
NICK NASH IS VERY GOOD. pic.twitter.com/ymmekShOGx
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) November 29, 2024
McMillan is widely recognized as one of the best receivers in the country. While he didn’t have the same success as a year prior, he was still second among receivers in receiving yards and seventh in receptions. If Arizona’s offense didn’t take a step back this season, McMillan would have outpaced his 2023 numbers.
Meanwhile, Tetairoa McMillan just did this 😍😍😍pic.twitter.com/qo7AdqXLuv
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) November 16, 2024
Finally, Hunter took the next step as a receiver this season and was one of the most dangerous players on the field. Putting up the numbers he did (92 receptions for 1152 yards and 14 touchdowns) while also being a full-time corner is one of the most impressive feats in college football history.
TRAVIS HUNTER, ARE YOU KIDDING!? 😱
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 29, 2024
THIRD TD OF THE DAY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/6yTD1nk1Cq
While each player certainly deserves the honor, one player deserves to be on this list, even though he isn’t a wide receiver: Harold Fannin Jr.
Coming up just short of Jace Amaro’s single-season receiving yards record for tight ends, Fannin Jr. finished second in the country in receiving yards with 1,342, added nine touchdowns (one more than McMillan), and had 100 catches. He just finished one of the greatest tight-end seasons ever, and the Biletnikoff Award isn’t specific to wide receivers, even though it is synonymous with receivers.
What a night by Harold Fannin Jr.!!!
— BGSU Football (@BG_Football) November 13, 2024
🏈 10 receptions
🏈 137 receiving yards
🏈 2 TDs
Roll the tape 📽️ pic.twitter.com/qTWrCPkQ3G
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist for the award in 2020, along with DeVonta Smith and Elijah Moore, becoming the first to be a finalist. Even though he played at Bowling Green, Fannin Jr. had a more impressive season. While most of his production came against the MAC, when up against some of the best the Big Ten and the SEC offer, the production didn’t dip. He recorded 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown against Penn State. The following week, he posted eight catches for 145 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M.
The argument is clear for Fannin Jr. to be a finalist, but it comes down to who gets left off. Hunter is the Heisman favorite and was snubbed for the Jim Thorpe Award. While he recorded more touchdowns, Fannin Jr. had the better receiving season, but Hunter compiled these stats while also being a top-tier cornerback. Did that play into the decision to make him a finalist? No disrespect to Hunter, but if it were my decision, I’d drop him and put Fannin Jr. in his place as a Biletnikoff finalist. Having one of the best receiving seasons of all time among tight ends earns attention from this award, but who would be your finalists if it were up to you?