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Illinois Football: Pat Bryant Should Be on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List

Illinois Football Wideout Pat Bryant should be in consideration for the 2024 Biletnikoff Award watch list amidst a very impressive season.

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Illinois Football
Nov 23, 2024; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) gains yards after catch as Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Shaquan Loyal (6) and defensive back Desmond Igbinosun (4) pursue during the second half at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

How Has Pat Bryant Not Made The Cut For the Biletnikoff Award List?

Illinois Football coach Bret Bielema has been actively campaigning to get talented wide receiver Pat Bryant on the map for one of the nation’s most prominent college football awards. The Fred Biletnikoff Award recognizes and highlights some of the nation’s most talented wide receivers, in honor of the legendary former Oakland Raider wide receiver.

70 players have received nominations so far, yet Bryant has somehow missed the award’s watch list through 14 weeks. Based on the talented wideout’s 2024 performances to date, it’s hard to believe there are truly 70 receivers in college football that are better than Bryant.

After his huge game-winning performance for against Rutgers, will Bryant finally earn a spot on the radar for this prestigious award?

Bryant’s Stats For Illinois Football (S0 Far) Via ESPN

Date OPP Result REC YDS AVG LNG TD CAR YDS AVG TD LNG
Sat 11/23 @RUTG
W

38-31

 7 197 28.1 64 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
Sat 11/16 vs MSU
W

38-16

 4 135 33.8 57 1 0 0 0.0 0 0
Sat 11/2 vs MINN
L

25-17

 5 72 14.4 25 0 1 6 6.0 0 6
Sat 10/26 @ 1 ORE
L

38-9

 3 26 8.7 17 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Sat 10/19 vs 24 MICH
W

21-7

 4 32 8.0 12 0 1 -1 -1.0 0 0
Sat 10/12 vs PUR
W

50-49 OT

 4 104 26.0 32 1 2 10 5.0 0 7
Sat 9/28 @ 9PSU
L

21-7

 3 39 13.0 17 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Fri 9/20 @ 22 NEB
W

31-24 OT

 5 74 14.8 29 2 0 0 0.0 0 0
Sat 9/14 vs CMU
W

30-9

 7 102 14.6 31 2 1 -1 -1.0 0 0
Sat 9/7 vs 19 KU
W

23-17

 3 70 23.3 37 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Thu 8/29 vs EIU
W

45-0

 5 63 12.6 28 2 0 0 0.0 0 0
Total 50 914 18.3 64 9 5 14 2.8 0 7

Mission of the Biletnikoff Award

“The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position. 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 award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes the outstanding receiver, not merely the outstanding wide receiver. The award recipient is selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of prominent college football journalists, commentators, and former receivers.”

Given these criteria, it’s certainly hard not to think of Pat, right?”

Bielema’s Valid Frustration

Bielema has grown increasingly and justifiably frustrated that Pat Bryant, despite being overly qualified, has not yet earned a spot on the watch list. With a total of 50 receptions for 914 yards and 9 touchdowns this season thus far, Bryant currently ranks top 20 nationally (2nd in the Big Ten) in total receiving yards. Of course, these eye-opening stats make Pat’s omission from the list all the more puzzling to followers of Illinois Football.

Bielema was vocal in a humorous manner on the subject in the Illini’s post-game presser on Saturday afternoon, following Bryant’s game-winning touchdown in Piscataway.

“I think that’s Pats’ third game-winning touchdown,” Bielema stated. “He’s still not a Biletnikoff. So, if we can have a writing campaign… He’s literally one of the best receivers in the country, and we can’t get him on the Biletnikoff. So, Biletnikoff please hear me.”

 

 

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Kirkland is an expert source for Illinois athletics news. He is the lead Football analyst at Armchair Illini and has been featured in top media publications like Bleacher Report, Yard Barker, Autograph, Newsbreak, CBS Sports and more.

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