College and Magnolia - Watching the Watch ListsAt the corner of Auburn and the Internethttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48507/collegeandmagnolia_Fav.png2015-07-17T15:00:03-05:00http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/rss/stream/86922202015-07-17T15:00:03-05:002015-07-17T15:00:03-05:00Duke Williams and the Biletnikoff: An Explanation
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<figcaption>Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After some searching, I believe I know why Duke Williams was not on the list. </p> <p>It was shocking at first. Sort of stupefying, really. Duke Williams didn't make <a target="_blank" href="http://ncfaa.org/15watchlists/150715biletnikoff.pdf">the Pre-Season Watch List for the nation's top pass catcher?</a></p>
<p>I'm pretty sure I've figured out the exact method for choosing the list and why Duke isn't on it. I don't necessarily agree with the method, but I applaud that they chose a specific plan for constructing the list and then stuck strictly to it.</p>
<p>Duke Williams' 2014 stats were not anything to garnish high praise at first glance. He ranks way down the list for yards per reception. He wasn't anything special in scoring with only five touchdowns. His total receiving yards weren't very great, either. He also missed two complete games and most of a third, which limited his stats.</p>
<p>I spent a good deal of time going through the stats on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cfbstats.com/">cfbstats.com</a> (my go-to stats site, which I highly recommend) to examine just where Duke fit in among the other receivers in college football. We all know he wasn't that great on the number lines, but he was amazing as a clutch possession receiver and for making spectacular catches.</p>
<p>So Duke didn't excel in his stats last season. Who cares? He catches almost anything thrown his direction. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000498486/article/tyler-boyd-duke-williams-are-top-cfb-wrs-to-watch-in-2015">NFL.com said that he and Pitt's Tyler Boyd are the top wide receivers NFL fans should watch in College Football for 2015</a>. Interestingly enough, Tyler Boyd also did not make the Biletnikoff Watch List even though <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/player/split01/category03/sort03.html">he was the 11th ranked wide receiver in terms of total receiving yards last season</a>.</p>
<p>If Boyd, who finished 11th in total receiving yards wasn't on the Biletnikoff Watch List, then how are they chosen?</p>
<p>Well first a quick Google search gives a good reason for Boyd's lack of consideration. Boyd was <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/eye-on-college-football/25216075/pitt-wr-tyler-boyd-formally-charged-with-dui-from-friday-traffic-stop">arrested and formally charged with DUI last month and his status for Pitt's opening games of 2015 is in question</a>. That could be a good reason for him not making the list, since being declared ineligible at certain times by the school is grounds for removal from consideration for the award.</p>
<p>I mentioned that Boyd was 11th in total receiving yards for 2014. What is very intriguing is that he is the <i>only</i> player among the returning top 48 pass catchers for 2015 in 2014 total receiving yards to not be on the Biletnikoff Watch List. There is one other player who did not graduate or leave early for the NFL who finished in the Top 48 of 2014's returning pass catchers by total yards. However, that is Illinois' Mike Dudek, who is isn't exactly "returning" for 2015. <a target="_blank" href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/08/illinis-mike-dudek-freshman-all-american-wr-tears-acl/">H</a><a target="_blank" href="http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/08/illinis-mike-dudek-freshman-all-american-wr-tears-acl/">e will miss much, if not all, of the 2015 season with an ACL tear</a>.</p>
<h3>The Numbers</h3>
<p>From what I've been able to determine, the Top 48 returning pass catchers (there's a running back in there, too) in terms of total receiving yards for 2014 make up the Biletnikoff Watch List minus the two players whose status for 2015 is uncertain. I'm not absolutely positive this is the method that was used, but it sure does line up very nicely.</p>
<p>Here's a handy little chart for you of the top 100 players in total receiving yards from 2014 so you can see for yourself. I have annotated their status to make it simple to see how I drew the above conclusion on the method for picking the watch list.</p>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="467" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 351pt;">
<colgroup> <col width="73" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2669; width: 55pt;"> <col width="161" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5888; width: 121pt;"> <col width="64" style="width: 48pt;"> <col width="169" style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 6180; width: 127pt;"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl65" width="73" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 55pt;">2014 Rank</td>
<td class="xl65" width="161" style="width: 121pt;">Name</td>
<td class="xl65" width="64" style="width: 48pt;">Yards</td>
<td class="xl65" width="169" style="width: 127pt;">Status</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl67">Rashard Higgins, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1750</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl68">Amari Cooper, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1727</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl68">Tyler Lockett, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1515</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl68">Justin Hardy, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1494</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl68">Vince Mayle, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1483</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl68">Kevin White, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1447</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl67">Corey Davis, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1408</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl68">Rashad Greene, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1365</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl68">Nelson Agholor, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1313</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl67">Tajae Sharpe, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1281</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl69" style="height: 15.0pt;">11</td>
<td class="xl69">Tyler Boyd, WR</td>
<td class="xl69">1261</td>
<td class="xl69">DUI, Status/punishment Unknown</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">12</td>
<td class="xl67">Keevan Lucas, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1219</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl70" style="height: 15.0pt;">13</td>
<td class="xl70">Tony Lippett, WR</td>
<td class="xl70">1198</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Nelson Spruce, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1198</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">15</td>
<td class="xl68">Jaelen Strong, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1165</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">16</td>
<td class="xl68">Joshua McCain, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1162</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">17</td>
<td class="xl68">Tommy Shuler, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1138</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">18</td>
<td class="xl67">Pharoh Cooper, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1136</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">19</td>
<td class="xl67">Corey Coleman, RB</td>
<td class="xl67">1119</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">20</td>
<td class="xl68">Josh Harper, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1097</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">21</td>
<td class="xl67">William Fuller, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1094</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">22</td>
<td class="xl67">Roger Lewis, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1093</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 9</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">23</td>
<td class="xl67">Leonte Carroo, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1086</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 10</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">24</td>
<td class="xl68">Da'Ron Brown, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1065</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">25</td>
<td class="xl68">Curry Sexton, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1059</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">26</td>
<td class="xl68">John Harris, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1051</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">27</td>
<td class="xl68">Jamison Crowder, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1044</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl68">Breshad Perriman, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1044</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl69" style="height: 15.0pt;">29</td>
<td class="xl69">Mike Dudek, WR</td>
<td class="xl69">1038</td>
<td class="xl69">ACL Injury, will miss significant time</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">30</td>
<td class="xl67">Mike Williams, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1030</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">KD Cannon, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1030</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">32</td>
<td class="xl68">Antonio Vaughan, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1019</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Cayleb Jones, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1019</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">34</td>
<td class="xl67">Josh Doctson, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">1018</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 14</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">35</td>
<td class="xl68">Cam Worthy, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1016</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">36</td>
<td class="xl68">Bud Sasser, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">1003</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Byron Marshall, RB</td>
<td class="xl67">1003</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">38</td>
<td class="xl67">Daniel Braverman, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">997</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 16</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">39</td>
<td class="xl68">Titus Davis, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">980</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Devonte Boyd, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">980</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 17</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">41</td>
<td class="xl68">Isiah Myers, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">972</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">42</td>
<td class="xl67">Sterling Shepard, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">970</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 18</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">43</td>
<td class="xl67">Artavis Scott, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">965</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 19</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">44</td>
<td class="xl67">Jordan Payton, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">954</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 20</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">45</td>
<td class="xl68">David Frazier, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">949</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">46</td>
<td class="xl68">Mario Alford, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">945</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">47</td>
<td class="xl67">Hunter Sharp, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">939</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 21</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">48</td>
<td class="xl67">Jakeem Grant, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">938</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 22</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">49</td>
<td class="xl68">Devin Smith, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">931</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">50</td>
<td class="xl67">Mitch Mathews, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">922</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 23</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">51</td>
<td class="xl67">Teldrick Morgan, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">903</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 24</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">52</td>
<td class="xl67">DaeSean Hamilton, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">899</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 25</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">53</td>
<td class="xl67">Donovan Harden, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">885</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 26</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">54</td>
<td class="xl67">Thomas Sperbeck, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">877</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 27</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">55</td>
<td class="xl67">Rashon Ceaser, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">872</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 28</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">56</td>
<td class="xl68">Phillip Dorsett, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">871</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">57</td>
<td class="xl67">Carlos Harris, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">869</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 29</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">58</td>
<td class="xl68">Kenzee Jackson, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">866</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">59</td>
<td class="xl67">Ajalen Holley, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">863</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 30</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">60</td>
<td class="xl68">DeVante Parker, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">855</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">61</td>
<td class="xl67">Corey Jones, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">851</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 31</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">62</td>
<td class="xl68">Jordan Taylor, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">842</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Josh Reynolds, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">842</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 32</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">64</td>
<td class="xl68">Deontay Greenberry, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">841</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">65</td>
<td class="xl67">Trent Taylor, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">834</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 33</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">66</td>
<td class="xl68">Antwan Goodley, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">830</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Isaiah Jones, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">830</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 34</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">68</td>
<td class="xl67">Jared Dangerfield, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">825</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 35</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">69</td>
<td class="xl68">Bradley Marquez, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">821</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">70</td>
<td class="xl67">Demarcus Robinson, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">810</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">71</td>
<td class="xl67">Jalen Robinette, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">806</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 37</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">72</td>
<td class="xl67">Michael Thomas, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">799</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 38</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">73</td>
<td class="xl67">Victor Bolden, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">798</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 39</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">74</td>
<td class="xl67">Marcus Kemp, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">797</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 40</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">75</td>
<td class="xl68">Stefon Diggs, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">792</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">76</td>
<td class="xl68">Kenny Bell, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">788</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">77</td>
<td class="xl68">Jordan Leslie, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">779</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">78</td>
<td class="xl67">Alex Erickson, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">772</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 41</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">79</td>
<td class="xl67">Ron Willoughby, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">771</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 42</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">River Cracraft, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">771</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 43</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">81</td>
<td class="xl67">Alonzo Russell, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">770</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 44</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">82</td>
<td class="xl67">Taywan Taylor, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">767</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 45</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">83</td>
<td class="xl67">Shaq Washington, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">761</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 46</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;">84</td>
<td class="xl67">Ryan Burbrink, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">758</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 47</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl67" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl67">Travin Dural, WR</td>
<td class="xl67">758</td>
<td class="xl67">Biletnikoff List 48</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">86</td>
<td class="xl71">Ryan Switzer, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">757</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">87</td>
<td class="xl71">Kolby Listenbee, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">753</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl71">Jordan Williams, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">753</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">89</td>
<td class="xl71">Geno Lewis, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">751</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">90</td>
<td class="xl68">Shavarez Smith, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">748</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">91</td>
<td class="xl71">Jordan Westerkamp, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">747</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">92</td>
<td class="xl71">Zach Pascal, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">743</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">93</td>
<td class="xl68">Sammie Coates, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">741</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">94</td>
<td class="xl71">Brandon Sheperd, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">737</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">95</td>
<td class="xl68">Devin Funchess, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">733</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">96</td>
<td class="xl71">Robert Davis, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">732</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl68" style="height: 15.0pt;">97</td>
<td class="xl68">Jalen Fitzpatrick, WR</td>
<td class="xl68">730</td>
<td class="xl68">Graduated/Left for NFL</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl65" style="height: 15.0pt;"></td>
<td class="xl65"><b>D'haquille Williams, WR</b></td>
<td class="xl65"><b>730</b></td>
<td class="xl65"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">99</td>
<td class="xl71">Mekale McKay, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">725</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td height="20" class="xl71" style="height: 15.0pt;">100</td>
<td class="xl71">JuJu Smith, WR</td>
<td class="xl71">724</td>
<td class="xl71"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<h3>Whither Duke?</h3>
<p>So exactly where does Duke fit in for those returning? He was 97th in total receiving yards for 2014. He is 57th on the list of returning players for 2015. The Biletnikoff Award Watch List selects 48 people, and using the metric of total receiving yards for 2014, Duke misses the cutoff by nine spots. He's close, but not quite there.</p>
<p>ForWhomTheCowbellTolls.com <a target="_blank" href="http://www.forwhomthecowbelltolls.com/2015/7/15/8973247/mississippi-states-derunnya-wilson-ole-misss-laquon-treadwell-auburns">pointed out that Mississippi State's DeRunnya Wilson and Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell were also surprisingly not on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List</a>. Well, they were even lower than Duke Williams in total receiving yards for 2014. Wilson was 120th and Treadwell 140th. I'm sure Treadwell would have been higher, but he also missed four games during the 2014 campaign following his horrific ankle injury suffered against Auburn.</p>
<p>We could argue all day long whether this is a great metric to use. It seems strange to use only total receiving yards to build your Watch List from, but hey there's got to be a metric somewhere that you pick from. You have to have some sort of method to your madness.</p>
<p>I think I would have gone with an average of their position in stats such as yards/game (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.cfbstats.com/2014/leader/national/player/split01/category03/sort01.html">Duke was 50th last season</a>) and total yards, or even used some of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2015/2/18/8061745/2014-college-football-receiver-stats" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Bill Connelly's advanced stats from footballstudyhall.com</a>, but this is what they appear to have chosen, and if you're trying to pick a certain number of players for a pre-season watch list that doesn't mean much in the long run since it's not set in stone, it works as well as anything else. Even if an average ranking of various statistical categories was used, Duke still may not be low enough to end up in the Top 48 and on the list.</p>
<p>I know some awards say that they pull their lists from players who received post-season accolades or pre-season accolades such as All-Conference Teams. The All-SEC team announced at the end of Media Days contains <a target="_blank" href="http://www.secsports.com/article/13272615/preseason-all-sec-team">all three of the receivers mentioned above (along with Pharaoh Cooper, who did make the list).</a> It was released after the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, however. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2015/2015%20Preseason/SEC.html">Phil Steele's 2015 All-SEC team saw Duke and Laquon make 1st team and DeRunnya Wilson make 3rd</a>.</p>
<h3>It's Just Pre-Season</h3>
<p>In the end, the Pre-Season Watch List won't matter. If Duke has the type of year we expect he can have as the feature receiver and with Jeremy Johnson throwing him the football, then he's going to put up the numbers that will get him on the list at some point. He may not make it to the semifinalist list given Auburn's run-heavy offensive philosophy, but I have a feeling he'll get some recognition along the way.</p>
<p>For Duke Williams, his stats and awards won't really matter. All that will matter is that he stays healthy, hopefully competes for a championship, and then moves on to being an almost certain 1st Round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.</p>
<p>So why did I take all of this time to write this? To provide some form of explanation for Duke not being on the Watch List that Auburn fans can appreciate and understand. As I said back at the very beginning, agree with it or not, it's a method, it was adhered to strictly, and I can appreciate that. I may not agree, but I now see (or at least suspect that I see) the reason behind it.</p>
<p>So what do y'all think?</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/17/8992233/duke-williams-and-the-biletnikoff-an-explanationWalt Austin2015-07-17T10:48:07-05:002015-07-17T10:48:07-05:00Duke Named to Walter Camp Award Watch List
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/YXxc12VoR76G_CiHmIiZgv8yjPU=/0x0:2793x1862/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46773554/usa-today-8057727.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It's the final day of the Watch List Watch!</p> <p>It's been two weeks since the Watch List fun began, and now we're down to the last day. Today the Watch List for the Walter Camp Award given to the nation's top player.</p>
<p>Auburn only placed one player on the Walter Camp list, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.auburntigers.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071715aaa.html">and that's wide receiver D'haquille "Duke" Williams</a>. Duke also made the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the nation's top player, as well.</p>
<p>So that makes two "top player" awards watch lists for Duke Williams, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/15/8970551/auburn-wr-dhaquille-williams-not-on-the-biletnikoff-watch-list">and yet he didn't make the watch list for his own position</a>. I have some thoughts on why that is that I hope to be sharing with you later today.</p>
<h4>Duke Williams</h4>
<p>Duke's stats line wasn't amazing for last season, but he did sit out a bit with an injury during the Texas A&M game. Without that, his stats would have been higher (and he would probably* have been on the Biletnikoff Watch List). He caught 45 passes for 730 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 16.2 yards per reception.</p>
<p>He also catches everything thrown his way. So, let's again look at some Duke highlights as we await the season!</p>
<p><span>
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</span></p>
<div class="embed-container"><iframe frameborder="0" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bU0KCXWpvGs"></iframe></div>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>*No "probably" to it. He would have made the list.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/17/8991417/2015-watch-lists-walter-camp-award-tabs-dhaquille-duke-williamsWalt Austin2015-07-16T10:00:04-05:002015-07-16T10:00:04-05:00Jeremy Johnson Named to O'Brien List For Best QBs
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WcYUOV8BIIp1JsEVxSfLgiiZHWg=/44x0:2909x1910/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46759862/usa-today-8526609.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>More Awards Watch Lists!</p> <p>The Davey O'Brien Award is given annually to the nation's top quarterback. <a href="http://ncfaa.org/15watchlists/150716daveyobrien.pdf" target="_blank">This year's preseason watch list</a> is consists of 24 quarterbacks, half of which are seniors and includes a few folks who were up for the award last year, as well.</p>
<p>Three SEC Quarterbacks made the list: Auburn's Jeremy Johnson, Tennessee's Josh Dobbs, and Mississippi State's Dak Prescott. Auburn boasts one previous winner of the award, a little-known quarterback by the name of Cameron Newton who won it in an uneventful 2010 season.</p>
<h4>Jeremy Johnson</h4>
<p>Johnson comes in to the 2015 season with as much hype as any other quarterback in the nation and probably based on less game-action evidence than any other, as well.</p>
<p>What do his career stats look like? Well, like this:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 288pt;" width="384" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 48pt;" span="6" width="64"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64" height="20">Comp</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64">Attempts</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64">Comp %</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64">Yards</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64">TD</td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl64">INT</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt;" class="xl64" height="20">57</td>
<td class="xl64">78</td>
<td class="xl65">73%</td>
<td class="xl64">858</td>
<td class="xl64">9</td>
<td class="xl64">2</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>That's a pretty good stat line. Sure, two of his three appearances were against Western Carolina and Florida Atlantic, but the thing that stood out to me for those games is that he did exactly what he should have done in those games: he dominated. He threw gorgeous deep balls for touchdowns. And, in 2013, he also ran the ball well.</p>
<p>Wait, what? He ran the ball well? Yes, he did. <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/14/8955361/can-jeremy-johnson-run-the-dang-ball#comments" target="_blank">As Tuco pointed out, Jeremy Johnson CAN run the dang ball</a>. Here are his career rushing stats:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 288pt;" width="384" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 48pt;" span="6" width="64"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl65" height="20"></td>
<td title="Rushing attempts" style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl65">ATT</td>
<td title="Total rushing yards" style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl65">YDS</td>
<td title="Average yards per carry" style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl65">AVG</td>
<td title="Longest run" style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl65">LNG</td>
<td title="Rushing touchdowns" style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl65">TD</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl67" height="20">2014</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl66">4</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl66">-7</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl66">-1.8</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl66">1</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl66">1</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt;" height="20">
<td style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl69" height="20">2013</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl68">7</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl68">47</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl68">6.7</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl68">16</td>
<td style="width: 48pt; outline: 0px;" width="64" class="xl68">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>Sure, his 2014 numbers look horrible, but that's because he was never asked to run the ball. Against vastly inferior competition in 2013, Johnson ran the ball quite well. If you watch his appearances in those two games, I think you'll get a much better idea of how Malzahn will utilize Jeremy Johnson this season.</p>
<p>More on that later, though. I have a whole article on Jeremy Johnson planned for publishing this afternoon or tomorrow. Right now, it's enough to know that Jeremy Johnson is considered as one of 24 quarterbacks tabbed in the preseason as a likely candidate for QB of the Year, and that's awesome.</p>
<p>I'm still trying to figure out <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/15/8970551/auburn-wr-dhaquille-williams-not-on-the-biletnikoff-watch-list" target="_blank">how Duke Williams wasn't on the Biletnikoff list, though</a>.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/16/8978229/2015-watch-lists-davey-obrien-award-auburn-qb-jeremy-johnsonWalt Austin2015-07-15T11:27:52-05:002015-07-15T11:27:52-05:00Duke Not on the Biletnikoff Watch List?!?
<figure>
<img alt="Oh, you doubt The Duke? Do so at your own peril" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CfDJDXpEpXSD6EKjYyd4B3AfBAk=/10x0:1400x927/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46750546/usa-today-8109568.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Oh, you doubt The Duke? Do so at your own peril | Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Wait, what? </p> <p>Ok, yes, Watch Lists are dumb. Will the winners of those awards be on those watch lists? There's a pretty decent chance of it. Will a winner come out of nowhere and be someone not on the watch lists in the preseason? That happens all the time, too.</p>
<p>How often, after all, is the Heisman won by someone who was a "favorite" at the beginning of the season? It's usually someone no one expected.</p>
<p>The preseason watch list for the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the best wide receiver in college football, <a href="http://ncfaa.org/15watchlists/150715biletnikoff.pdf" target="_blank">was released this morning</a> <a href="http://ncfaa.org/15watchlists/150715biletnikoff.pdf" target="_blank">and Auburn's D'haquille "Duke" Williams was not on it</a>.</p>
<p>In reality there's really nothing to get too upset about, here. It's a pre-season watch list. It doesn't mean Duke is destined for a horrible season.</p>
<p>In fact, if I had to guess, it's probably entirely due to those who made the list suspecting that Auburn will still be run-heavy and Duke won't put up "award-worthy numbers" at the receiver position.</p>
<p>It's just hard to fathom that someone who is considered to be one of the top returning wide receivers not only in the SEC, but also in all of college football, could be left off the watch-list for the award for best receiver in the game. The award shouldn't be about his numbers, anyway. I suspect he'll have much bigger numbers than any Auburn receiver in recent memory, but his physical ability, his game-changing nature, his "catch anything in his zip code" pass catching should be the measuring stick for whether he's "the nation's outstanding college football receiver regardless of position."</p>
<p>Call me crazy, but I just find it insane that an award watch-list with 48 players - most of whom will have no shot at the award - doesn't include someone who is already hailed as a first round draft pick at the position.</p>
<p>But, as I've said so often this summer, it's the off season, so what else am I going to do but talk and complain about pointless things? Don't worry, actually football is right around the corner!</p>
<p>So what do you think? Are the folks who put together the Biletnikoff Watch List nuts, or not?</p>
<p>Now enjoy some Duke highlights (may want to mute for NSFW language, I don't know) and dream of what he and Jeremy Johnson are going to do together this year.</p>
<p><span>
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https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/15/8970551/auburn-wr-dhaquille-williams-not-on-the-biletnikoff-watch-listWalt Austin2015-07-14T10:02:05-05:002015-07-14T10:02:05-05:002015 Watch Lists: Butkus Award and Lombardi Award
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<figcaption>Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>More Tigers get added to lists!</p> <p>We're starting to see a lot of familiar names on these lists. Two more watch lists were released today!</p>
<h3>Rotary Lombardi Award</h3>
<p>The Lombardi Award is given out to "down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimage."</p>
<p>Well alright. That's a very detailed explanation. It's also a rather big list. One difference over other awards is that this is technically a "preliminary watch list." The list will be updated before the season begins to highlight players who receive "significant preseason honors."</p>
<p>Auburn boasts two former winners of the Lombardi Award: Nick Fairly and Tracy Rocker</p>
<h4>Avery Young</h4>
<p>Young represents an excellent chance to do what Tracy Rocker did: sweep the Outland and Lombardi. Bask in his awesomeness this season while you can, Tiger fans. He'll be in the NFL next year.</p>
<h4>Cassanova McKinzy</h4>
<p>More pre-season honors for Cass! I realize these are just watch lists, but it still shows that many people respect the job McKinzy has done over the last few years and that they expect him to have a big showing in Will Muschamp's defense.</p>
<h3>The Butkus Award</h3>
<p>The Butkus Award is given to the nation's top high school, college, and professional linebackers. Auburn does not have a previous winner of the Butkus Award. However, this year three (yes, three) Tigers make the watch list.</p>
<h4>Kris Frost & Cassanova McKinzy</h4>
<p>Both of Auburn's returning senior linebackers are on this watch list. This marks the fourth list that McKinzy has been on, and the first for Frost. Cass is on the watch list for pretty much every award he's eligible for. Here's to hoping he has the kind of season where he's on the final lists, too.</p>
<h4>Carl Lawson</h4>
<p>But wait, why is a defensive end on the Butkus Award list for linebackers!? Well, because this season Lawson will be playing as Will Muschamp's hybrid "Buck." Sometimes he'll be down as a traditional DE, and others he'll be standing up as a 3-4 linebacker.</p>
<p>It's good to see Lawson make a list like this. If he is truly healthy and better than ever, I expect a monster season out of him.</p>
<h3>Still to Come:</h3>
<p id="paragraph5" class="pgh-paragraph">Wed., July 15: Biletnikoff Award / Wuerffel Trophy</p>
<p id="paragraph6" class="pgh-paragraph">Thurs, July 16: Davey O’Brien Award / Doak Walker Award</p>
<p id="paragraph7" class="pgh-paragraph">Fri., July 17: Walter Camp Award</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/14/8960303/2015-watch-lists-butkus-award-and-lombardi-awardWalt Austin2015-07-13T10:21:25-05:002015-07-13T10:21:25-05:00Thorpe Award Watch List: Jones Makes the List
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<figcaption>Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Continuing the Watch Lists!</p> <p>The Jim Thorpe Award released its preseason watch-list of 42 players this morning in a continuation of the Watch List season. The Thorpe Award has been given annually since 1986 to the nation's best defensive back. Auburn boasts one previous winner of the award: Carlos Rogers in 2004.</p>
<h4>Jonathan Jones</h4>
<p>Jones' inclusion on the watch-list should surprise no one. The senior corner back tied for the team lead in interceptions last season with six and also was in the top five for tackles. He's an excellent defensive back who will be expected to hold down the senior leadership role for the DBs this season. <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/football/2015/7/10/8928341/nagurski-trophy-watch-list-jones-mckinzy-and-lawson" target="_blank">He is also on the watch list for the Nagurski Award</a> given to the nation's top overall defensive player.</p>
<p>Jones' health is still the key question after foot surgery during the spring. If he's 100%, then he stands to have a special season.</p>
<p>It sounds strange after the struggles over the last few seasons, but I could see Rudy Ford, or even Tray Matthews, making noise for this award by the end of the season, as well. I really do like the starting group for the Tigers in the defensive backfield. The question will be how the depth holds up.</p>
<h4>Remaining Awards Watch Lists:</h4>
<p>Tues., July 14: Butkus Award / Rotary Lombardi Award</p>
<p>Wed., July 15: Biletnikoff Award / Wuerffel Trophy</p>
<p>Thurs, July 16: Davey O’Brien Award / Doak Walker Award</p>
<p>Fri., July 17: Walter Camp Award</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/football/2015/7/13/8948723/jim-thorpe-award-watch-list-jonathan-jones-makes-the-cutWalt Austin2015-07-10T10:06:04-05:002015-07-10T10:06:04-05:00Nagurski Watch List: Jones, McKinzy, and Lawson
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<p>Three more Tigers were added to pre-season awards watch lists this morning. </p> <p>The Nagurski Trophy is given by the Charlotte Touchdown Club for the "best defensive player in college football." No Auburn Tiger has won the award.</p>
<h4>Jonathan Jones</h4>
<p>As I wrote the other day, Jones is starting to pick up a lot of recognition for his play in the secondary over the last few seasons. He will be the senior defensive leader in the defensive backfield this year. He tied for the team lead in interceptions last season and made a few very clutch interceptions in the end zone. Jones will be one of <a href="http://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/8/8912519/auburn-2015-sec-media-days-participants-set" target="_blank">Auburn's representatives for Monday's SEC Media Days</a>, and will likely also make the Thorpe Award Watch List.</p>
<h4>Cassanova McKinzy</h4>
<p>One of the <a href="https://twitter.com/PFF_Jack/status/619118887225978880" target="_blank">best run-stopping linebackers in the SEC last year</a>, McKinzy will be the quarterback of Will Muschamp's defense in 2015. Second on the team in tackles last season, McKinzy will be a force to reckon with. Having him return for his senior season may be one of the best recruiting jobs Muschamp did when he first arrived on the Plains. Learning under Muschamp and new linebackers coach Lance Thompson could really push Cass to the next level.</p>
<h4>Carl Lawson</h4>
<p>I have to admit I was shocked to see Lawson on this list. Not because he doesn't belong, but because of him sitting out last season with his knee injury. We suspect he will be back at full speed or better, but no one really knows how he'll hold up right now.</p>
<p>These are just watch lists, though, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised at all. If Lawson is healthy and has learned as much as it sounds like he has just judging by reading various articles on him this off season, then he could be primed for a beast of a year. That's particularly true if Byron Cowart is ready to play on the other edge or if DaVonte Lambert steps up to take on the other edge roll, as well.</p>
https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/football/2015/7/10/8928341/nagurski-trophy-watch-list-jones-mckinzy-and-lawsonWalt Austin2015-07-10T09:29:12-05:002015-07-10T09:29:12-05:00Outland Trophy: Young and Kozan Make the List
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<figcaption>We love you for this, Avery | <a href='http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/11/30/5161264/auburn-radio-call-internet-implosion-after-auburn-alabama-110-yard'>SB Nation Main Site</a></figcaption>
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<p>In what should be a shock to no one, Auburn's offensive guards make the Outland Trophy Watch List</p> <p><span>The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman regardless of which side of the ball he plays on. Auburn has one previous recipient of the award: Tracy Rocker. Reese Dismukes was nominated for the Outland Trophy, but did not win the award.</span></p>
<h4>Alex Kozan</h4>
<p><span>This should come as no shock to anyone. Kozan was dominant in his true freshman season, and if he's healthy there's no reason to suspect that will change. Kozan - along with Jay Proscho - was one of the main reasons for Auburn's success in running the ball in 2013. His ability to push beyond the line and get to the second level blocks helped open numerous holes for Tiger runners. </span></p>
<h4>Avery Young</h4>
<p><span>Young is the same way, except we have two clear years of film to see it. If Austin Golson is even close to Dismukes' level of play at center, you could see Auburn having one of the most dominant interior offensive lines in the nation. That spells trouble for opposing teams facing the Auburn rushing attack.</span></p>
<p><span> Young could have gone pro after last season (his redshirt sophomore year), but chose to return. I think it's safe to say this is our last year with him. We'll always have this, though...</span></p>
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https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2015/7/10/8928199/outland-trophy-watch-list-young-and-kozan-make-the-listWalt Austin