| Tallahassee, FL – The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, announces that receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State is the 2023 winner of the Biletnikoff Award. Tonight, Marvin Harrison Jr. was introduced as the winner on The Home Depot College Football Awards. The other outstanding finalists are All-America receivers Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington. Harrison Jr.’s victory by one vote through balloting by the distinguished 650 Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee members is tied for the closest margin in the 30 years history of the Biletnikoff Award and is a tribute to each of the finalists superlative 2023 season performances.
The secure and confidential electronic voting by the distinguished members of the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee was conducted from November 28 through December 2, and certified by a prominent CPA firm. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver at any position. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and running back) who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver, not merely college football’s outstanding wide receiver. Moreover, the Biletnikoff Award is a single season, not career, award. |
 |
| Marvin Harrison Jr. had 67 catches for 1,211 receiving yards in 2023, ninth-most in college football, and 14 touchdown catches, tied for second. He averaged 101 receiving yards per game and had a contested catch percentage of 43% with a completion percentage of 59%. He ranked third in the Power Five conferences in Pro Football Focus’s receiver grading, behind Malik Nabers’ top rating. Harrison was named B1G Offensive Player of the Year (the Graham-George Award) and earned that conference’s Receiver of the Year honors (the Richter-Howard Award), while leading Ohio State to an 11-1 record and a Cotton Bowl appearance against Missouri.
Biletnikoff Award finalists Malik Nabers (86 receptions for 1,546 yards, 129 yards per game, 48% contested catch percentage, and completion percentage of 69%) and Rome Odunze (81 receptions for 1,428 yards, 110 yards per game, 71% contested catch percentage, and completion percentage of 65%) also enjoyed superb seasons. Harrison Jr. played pivotal roles in games against #1 Michigan (5 catches for 118 yards and 1 TD) and #10 Penn State (11 catches for 162 yards and 1 TD). Based on his outstanding performance this season, one in which Ohio State played the 36th most difficult schedule in college football, Marvin Harrison Jr. was named one of the four finalists for the 2023 Heisman Memorial Trophy. As has been the case for the award’s entire 30 years, the three Biletnikoff Award finalists have dominated unanimous and consensus 1st team All-America selections. The trio of Harrison Jr., Nabers, and Odunze together have been 1st team selections on CBS Sports, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, Bleacher Report, and PFF All-America teams. Harrison Jr. and Nabers were 1st team selections on the USA TODAY All-America team with Odunze as a 2nd team pick. On the CBS Sports team, Nabers was the top selection, with Harrison Jr. and Odunze tied for the second wide receiver spot. On every All-America selector’s team, Biletnikoff Award semifinalist and tight end Brock Bowers was chosen as 1st team All-America. In addition, semifinalists Troy Franklin (Oregon), Malik Washington (Virginia), and Luther Burden III (Missouri) have filled all of the 2nd team All-America wide receiver positions which have been selected so far. The Biletnikoff Award’s ten semifinalists, three finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 650 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers. Foundation trustees do not vote and have never voted. For a list of voters, please see BiletnikoffAward.com/ |
