Joel Klatt hammers voters over Biletnikoff Award finalists

As the college football season begins to wind down, ESPN released the finalists for its College Football Awards Tuesday. Among the announcements were the top three contenders for the Biletnikoff Award. The trophy goes to the top receiver each year, with Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith winning last season.

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt took issue with the list of Biletnikoff finalists, which included Pittsburgh’s Jordan Addison, Purdue’s David Bell and Alabama’s Jameson Williams. He took his immediate reaction to social media, offering an alternate group of players.

“I’m a fan of each of these wide receivers,” Klatt posted Tuesday on Twitter. “They have had great seasons… However, the fact that none of the Ohio State wide receivers are on this list is an indictment on the award itself and reflects poorly on those that vote for it”

Ohio State’s Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba have placed themselves in rare air as a trio. Entering the final week of regular season play, Smith-Njigba has passed the 1,000-yard mark with Olave and Wilson right behind him. With only five 1,000-yard receivers in program history, the 2021 Ohio State group has a chance to shatter the record books with an extended postseason run.

The stats help support Joel Klatt’s Biletnikoff finalists criticism. Jaxon Smith Njigba has 1,132 yards with six touchdowns, Chris Olave has 848 yards with 13 touchdowns, and Garrett Wilson has 939 yards with 11 touchdowns.

Without any Ohio State wide receivers on the ballot, voters will choose between the other three options. ESPN will announce the winners for the College Football Awards on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET.

Biletnikoff Award finalists

Jordan Addison — Pittsburgh

Jordan Addison leads the FBS with 15 touchdown catches for Pittsburgh this season. He also averages 115.6 yards per game, which ranks seventh in the country, to help the Panthers to a 9-2 record and an appearance in the ACC title game.

David Bell — Purdue

David Bell is fourth in the nation with 120.7 yards per game and third with 8.7 receptions per game. His two biggest games came against top-5 opponents in Michigan State and Iowa. In those games, Bell combined for 457 yards and two touchdowns to lead Purdue to upset victories.

Jameson Williams — Alabama

Jameson Williams is second only to Addison with 14 touchdown receptions this season while averaging 110.7 yards per game. He is one of Bryce Young’s primary targets in the offense, which finishes the regular season this week against Auburn.