Four American Athletic Conference student-athletes are among the 43 players who have been named to the initial watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the outstanding receiver in college football.

Three of the four American Athletic Conference selections all ranked among the top nine players in the conference in receptions per game and in receiving yards per game last season.

UCF's Ryan O'Keefe had 84 receptions for 812 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021, leading The American with 6.5 receptions per game. O'Keefe was chosen to the all-conference second team.

Houston's Nathaniel Dell led the conference in total receptions (90), receiving yards (1,329) and touchdown receptions (12). Dell is the lone returning receiver in The American who was named to the all-conference first team last year.

South Florida's Xavier Weaver finished with 41 catches for 715 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games last season.

Cincinnati's Nick Mardner, a transfer from Hawaii, had 46 receptions for 913 yards and five touchdowns last season and was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection.




2022 Biletnikoff Award Watch List
(American Athletic Conference Players)

Ryan O'Keefe, UCF
Nick Mardner, Cincinnati
Nathaniel Dell, Houston
Xavier Weaver, South Florida