Andre Johnson Named To Biletnikoff Watch List

Aug. 23, 2002

TALLAHASSEE – Rose Bowl MVP Andre Johnson of the defending national champion Miami Hurricanes was one of 32 wide receivers on the 2002 Biletnikoff Award watch list Friday. Given to the nation’s best receiver, the Biletnikoff Award will be presented at the ESPN Annual Award Show on Dec. 12.

Johnson, a junior from Miami Senior High School, made national headlines with an outstanding performance in Miami’s Rose Bowl victory over Nebraska to cap UM’s national title run. He earned co-MVP honors with quarterback Ken Dorsey by catching seven passes for 199 yards (career-highs in both categories) against the Cornhuskers, including two touchdown receptions.

Last season, Johnson was second on the team with 37 catches for a team-best 682 yards and a UM-leading 10 touchdowns. The 10 touchdown catches led the BIG EAST and tied for second on the Miami single-season list with Lamar Thomas (1992) and Reggie Wayne (2000). Johnson also ranked third in the BIG EAST in yards per catch (18.4 avg.), fourth in the BIG EAST in receiving yards per game (62.0 avg.), and seventh in catches per game (3.36 avg.).

Others on the list included Texas’ Roy Williams, Michigan State’s Charles Rogers, Virginia’s Billy McMullen, Oregon’s Kennan Howry and Tennessee’s Kelley Washington.

LSU’s Josh Reed won the award last season. Past winners include Antonio Bryant, Troy Walters, Troy Edwards, Randy Moss, Marcus Harris, Terry Glenn and Bobby Engram.

The award, named for former Florida State and Oakland Raiders’ receiver Fred Biletnikoff, is presented annually by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.

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