Texas Football’s Xavier Worthy, Isaiah Neyor named to Biletnikoff Award watch list
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Texas Football sophomore wide receiver Xavier Worthy and junior Isaiah Neyor have been added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. announced on Thursday. Worthy was previously named to the 2021 Biletnikoff Award watch list, while Neyor is making his first career watch list appearance. Presented annually, the award honors college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver.
Worthy, who has also been named to the Maxwell Award watch list, was the 2021 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year after a record-breaking year for the Longhorns in which he established top UT freshman single-season marks for receptions (62), receiving yards (981) and receiving touchdowns (12). The Fresno, Calif. native was Texas’ first-ever freshman wide receiver to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors. He led the Big 12 in receiving touchdowns and receiving yards per game (81.1), ranked third in receiving yards, fourth in receptions per game (5.2), fifth in yards per reception (15.82), sixth in receptions and seventh in total touchdowns (12). Worthy had four 100-yard receiving games, including a 261-yard performance against Oklahoma in the Red River Showdown in which he caught nine passes and had two touchdown receptions. His outstanding season earned him AP Freshman All-American honors and Big 12 Newcomer of the Year accolades. He was an Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award semifinalist, garnered True Freshman All-American honors from ESPN and 247Sports and was selected to the Freshman All-American First Team by The Athletic.
Neyor, a transfer from Wyoming, was a second-team All-Mountain West Conference honoree last season. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Neyor compiled 44 receptions for 878 yards (19.95 ypr) and 12 touchdowns, including back-to-back 100-yard games at Boise State and Utah State. His 19.95 yards per reception and 12 receiving touchdowns both led the MWC and ranked sixth and eighth in the FBS, respectively. As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Neyor played in all six of the Cowboys’ games in a season shortened by the pandemic, recording eight receptions for 248 yards, which ranked second on the team. His 31.0 yards per catch was on pace to lead the nation had he caught four more passes to meet the NCAA minimum of two per game to be ranked.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver.
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the 10 Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on Nov. 14, 2022, following the vote by the distinguished members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee. Likewise, the three finalists will be declared, following another vote, on Nov. 22, 2022. For complete details and updates on the Biletnikoff Award candidates, visit BiletnikoffAward.com. The Biletnikoff Award Winner will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8, 2022. (via Texas release)
