LSU labels Malik Nabers 'most hated' WR after 'disrespectful' Biletnikoff voting
On Friday, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. won the 2023 Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the top receiver in the country. LSU’s Malik Nabers, who was a fellow finalist for the award, finished behind Harrison and ahead of Washington’s Rome Odunze.
Harrison bested Nabers by one vote to win the prestigious honor, the tightest margin in the Biletnikoff Award history, per Reed Darcey of The Advocate. Nabers didn’t hesitate to speak his mind after being snubbed.
“REMEMBER THAT!! So disrespectful,” Nabers wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nabers wasn’t alone in his beliefs. Shortly before Nabers voiced his frustrations, LSU football’s official account posted a photo of Nabers with the caption, “Most Hated.”
Nabers certainly has an argument that he was the best receiver in college football. After a relatively quiet first two weeks of the 2023 season — 11 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown — Nabers saw his production explode. He finished under 100 receiving yards just once and failed to score a touchdown in only two of the final 10 games.
It all began in Week 3 with a 13 catch, 239 yard and two touchdown performance. He finishes the season with 1546 yards — leading the nation — and 14 touchdowns on 86 catches as the preferred target of Heisman finalist Jayden Daniels. The 14 touchdowns put Nabers behind only teammate Brian Thomas Jr. for the national lead through championship weekend.
LSU coach defends Malik Nabers
Nonetheless, Nabers accomplishments weren’t enough to haul in the award. LSU wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton delivered a potent message after the voters announced their decision.
“Congrats to all of the [Biletnikoff Award] finalists and the winner. While the outcome is not what we expected… I’m fortunate that I have an opportunity to coach Malik Nabers,” Hankton wrote. “A young man that will sit at the top of LSU greats! A young man who forced 30 missed tackles, had 580 yards after catch, and 1173 yards in conference play against a strength of schedule that is considered one of the hardest in a nation.
“We are fortunate that he plays with the best QB in the nation and won’t apologize for it! Malik made the plays he was suppose to make and more! Although we didn’t achieve this goal, don’t let this diminish the season you’ve had! Congrats on an outstanding year!”
Nabers will have a chance to prove voters wrong once more this season. On Jan. 1, LSU will square off against Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.