UCLA Football: J. Michael Sturdivant Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position.
After spending the first two years of college at UC Berkeley, J. Michael Sturdivant made the decision to transfer to Westwood in January. It looks like he has made an impression on the coaching staff as he was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list this morning despite not yet playing a down for the Bruins.
Last season at UC Berkeley, Sturdivant started all 12 games and led the Bears with 65 receptions and seven touchdown catches for 755 yards. That was good enough to earn him earned first-team Freshman All-American honors from The Athletic, College Football News and the Football Writers Association of America as well as an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection. Against UCLA, Sturdivant had a 46-yard TD catch.
Considering that any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, split end, inside receiver, slot back or running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the Biletnikoff Award, it’s important to remember that it recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely the outstanding wide receiver.
Past Biletnikoff Award winners include Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Golden Tate, Brandin Cooks, the late Terry Glenn, Ja’Marr Chase, and Larry Fitzgerald.
The recipient of the 2023 Biletnikoff Award will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the 30th Biletnikoff Award Celebration & Presentation by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club on March 9, 2024.
Go Bruins!
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Another stellar day for DTR! He keeps this up he'll be starting!