Skip to main content
NC State

NC State Newsstand: TE Justin Joly named to Biletnikoff Award watch list

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman08/07/25fleischman_noah
Justin Joly
Oct 5, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack tight end Justin Joly (15) celebrates during the first half of the game against Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

After establishing himself as one of NC State’s top options in the pass game last season, senior tight end Justin Joly was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Biletnikoff Award honors the top receiver in college football, regardless of position. Any player that catches a pass — wide receiver, tight end or running back — is eligible to win the award. 

Joly, who was named a preseason First Team All-ACC selection in July, is looking to become the first NC State player to win the award. Wide receivers Jerricho Cotchery (2003) and Koren Robinson (2000) were named semi finalists, while legendary wideout Torry Holt was named a finalist for the prestigious award in 1999.

In his first campaign at NC State, Joly logged 43 receptions for a team-best 661 yards to go with four touchdowns. Joly finished the 2024 season with the fifth-most single-season receptions for a tight end in program history, while his yard output was the fourth-most for those at his position in a Wolfpack uniform. 

The Biletnikoff Award semifinalists, three finalists and award winner are selected by a committee made up of 600 people — college football reporters and announcers, past winners and other former standout receivers. This year’s winner will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 11, live on ESPN.

Tweets of the day

NC State women’s basketball released its 2025-26 non-conference schedule.

A look into Wolfpack fall camp. 

Quote of the day

NC State senior tight end Cody Hardy brought a physical mindset to fall camp after transferring in from Elon. 

“I feel like I bring a physical mindset. Just walking out there on the field and being like, ‘Ain’t nobody gonna beat me,’” Hardy said Wednesday. “I’m just trying to spread that mindset within the team, just to get everybody to think in that type of way. If everybody thinks in that type of way, we’re going to be the biggest and baddest people on the field. Ain’t nobody going to touch us.”

Today’s top headlines

NC State lands commitment from Penn and Alabama transfer RHP Danny Heintz

NC State TE Cody Hardy focused on sharing physical mindset in fall camp

Temple transfers OLB Tra Thomas, CB Jamel Johnson to bolster NC State’s defense

NC State women’s basketball unveils 2025-26 non-conference schedule