Biletnikoff Award Adds Makai Jackson, Nick Marsh, Luke Reynolds and Eli Wood to 2026 Watch List

By Habari Sports

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation has added four players to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Watch List, announcing its second round of in-season additions on October 14.

The additions are Liberty wide receiver Makai Jackson, Indiana wide receiver Nick Marsh, Virginia Tech tight end Luke Reynolds, and Utah State wide receiver Eli Wood, according to the graphic accompanying the foundation’s announcement.

The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the season’s outstanding FBS receiver, with eligibility extending beyond players listed at wide receiver.

Four Players Join the Award Watch

The four join a watch list whose preseason edition was announced on August 19. Additional receivers can be included as the season progresses.

The foundation emphasizes that watch-list inclusion is based on actual performance rather than projected potential. The supplied announcement does not include individual statistics for the newest additions.

Placement on the watch list recognizes the players’ performances; it is not a designation as a semifinalist or finalist.

Tight Ends and Running Backs Are Eligible

Reynolds’ inclusion underscores a central feature of the Biletnikoff Award: it honors receiving performance regardless of a player’s listed position.

Wide receivers, tight ends, slot backs and running backs who catch passes are eligible. The honor recognizes performance during a single season rather than career achievement. Biletnikoff Award Biletnikoff Award

As an example of its broader eligibility, the foundation’s announcement notes that tight end Kyle Pitts was a finalist in 2020.

National Committee Selects the Winner

According to the foundation, the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee consists of 625 members, including college football journalists, commentators, announcers, previous award winners and former receivers.

The committee selects the semifinalists, the three finalists, and the eventual recipient.

Foundation trustees do not participate in voting. The organization also publishes its eligibility, watch-list inclusion and voting criteria for public review. Biletnikoff Award Biletnikoff Award

An Award With a Scholarship Mission

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, founded in 1994, also provides college and vocational scholarships to North Florida high school seniors who have overcome significant challenges while excelling academically and in extracurricular activities.

Sports participation is not required for scholarship consideration.

According to the foundation, it has provided more than 360 scholarships with benefits exceeding $7 million through 2026. Its stated goal is to reach $10 million in cumulative scholarship awards by 2030.

Honoring Fred Biletnikoff’s Legacy

The award is named for Fred Biletnikoff, the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver who starred at Florida State before playing for the Oakland Raiders.

During his Raiders career from 1965 through 1978, Biletnikoff recorded 589 receptions, 8,974 receiving yards, and 76 touchdowns. He was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.

Past award winners include Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith.

The foundation’s announcement identifies USC’s Makai Lemon as the 2025 winner, whose trophy presentation took place at its March 28, 2026, banquet in Tallahassee.

More information about the award and its selection criteria is available at BiletnikoffAward.com.

Source: Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation announcement dated October 14, 2026, and its accompanying watch-list additions graphic.