Cody Thompson and Jon’Vea Johnson Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
7/18/2017 10:01:00 AM | Football
Toledo, Ohio – University of Toledo wide receivers Cody Thompson (Huron, Ohio) and Jon'Vea Johnson (Gary, Ind.) were each named to the official Watch List for the 2017 Biletnikoff Award on Tuesday. The Biletnikoff Award has been presented annually to the nation's top receiver since 1994.
Thompson, a senior, was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2016. He caught 64 passes for a school-record 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was ninth in the nation with 19.8 yards per reception, and also earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Johnson, a junior, had 40 receptions for 773 yards and 10 TDs in 2016. He was 14th in the nation with 19.3 yards per catch. He also caught a 98-yard TD pass, the longest play from scrimmage in UT history.
Thompson and Johnson are the third and fourth Rockets to be selected for the official watch list of a national award so far this summer. Also on watch lists are senior quarter back Logan Woodside (Maxwell Award) and senior offensive tackle Elijah Nkansah (Outland Trophy). Thompson was also named to the All State AFCA Good Works Team for his volunteer efforts in the community. More national watch lists will be announced this week.
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The 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on Dec. 7, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard will present the 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner on the show. The 2017 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented his trophy before 550 patrons at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018.
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Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was an All-America receiver at Florida State University, and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Biletnikoff was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.
The Rockets open their season at home vs. Elon on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7:00 p.m. For ticket information, go online or call 419-530-GOLD (4653).
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