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Louisville Football: Two Cardinals Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List

By Jacob Lane

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Dez Fitzpatrick #87 and Jaylen Smith #9 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate after Fitzpatrick caught a touchdown pass during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 02: Dez Fitzpatrick #87 and Jaylen Smith #9 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrate after Fitzpatrick caught a touchdown pass during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Louisville football has some serious talent at the wide receiver position, which will be led by senior Jaylen Smith and redshirt freshman Dez Fitzpatrick.

We’ve come to the time of year when just about every post season award begins to announce their watch lists for the 2018-19 season. Those are made up of 15-20 players who could be potential winners when it’s all said and done.

Thus far in the lead up to ACC Media Day and kick-off of Louisville Football, none of the players on the Cardinals roster have been named to an award watch list, until today.

Senior wide receiver, Jaylen Smith, who shocked many by returning to Louisville for his senior season, after a big time breakout season in 2017-18, and Dez Fitzpatrick, were both named to the prestigious Biletnikoff Award Watch List today, the same day the former is set to take the podium in Charlotte.

Per the Biletnikoff Award website:

"The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver regardless of position (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass hence, tight ends, slot receivers and backs, inside receivers, wide receivers, split ends, and running backs are eligible) by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., (TQC). The TQC Foundation, Inc., is an independent, charitable organization that was founded in 1994."

The 2017 Biletnikoff award was given to James Washington of Oklahoma State. Notable pass catchers on the list include A.J. Brown (Ole Miss), David Sills (West Virginia), Greg Dortch (Wake Forest), Deebo Samuel (South Carolina) and Ahmmon Richards (Miami).

Jaylen Smith and Dez Fitzpatrick are both expected to have big seasons in 2018-19 for the Louisville Cardinals, even with Lamar Jackson headed off to the NFL. Jawon “Puma” Pass who should be the starting QB come week 1 against Alabama, has had two years to build rapport with both guys, which should lead to instant play making on offense for Louisville.

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Last season Fitzpatrick broke the Louisville freshman receiving record with nine touchdowns, catching 45 passes for 699 yards. Smith finished the season with 60 receptions for 980 yards and seven touchdowns, while missing three games with a fractured wrist.

As I’ve noted several times through the offseason, the Cardinals haven’t had a 1,000 yard receiver since Harry Douglas back in 2007. This will likely be the year that-that drought comes to an end, and both Smith and Fitzpatrick could easily finish with 1,000 yards a piece. Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino joined Drew Deener on 939 The Ville this morning, live from Charlotte, and discussed his talented wide receiving corps.

"“The experience and the production they have coming back is something we can rely on” he said,  “This might be the fastest team we’ve had.. We’re a lot faster than we’ve been.”"

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This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone, but no matter what national outlet you’re reading or watching, they likely aren’t talking about the Cards wide receivers, specifically Jaylen & Dez, enough. This corps has everything needed to become the best group in the country, and these two being named to the Biletnikoff watch list proves just that. They have size, speed, route running, pass catching, breakaway abilities, and most importantly experience from top to bottom.

While the questions about Pass taking over for a former Heisman Trophy winner are expected, there is no doubting that he has the weapons to be successful from the jump. This morning when talking with Drew Deener and Mark Blakenbaker, you could hear the confidence coming from Jaylen Smith and just how successful this group of receivers is going to be. It’s probably a good thing that these guys are flying under the national radar because it gives them even more motivation and chances to shock the world.

With two receivers on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, along with several others who could have big seasons such as Seth Dawkins, Josh Johnson, Justin Marshall, and Tutu Atwell, the Cards are set to pick up on offense right where they left off last season.

Don’t be surprised if Jaylen Smith, and Dez Fitzpatrick are sitting side-by-side during the College Football Award show in December, both hoping to become the next Biletnikoff Award winner.

Next: Cards Wide Receiving Corps Could be Deepest in the Nation

Get ready ACC, here comes Speed City.

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