UNC WR Mack Hollins on Biletnikoff Award Watch List

As college football’s preseason awards season heats up, it’s safe to say that the UNC offense will be quite the unit to watch this season.

Senior wide receiver Mack Hollins on Wednesday became the fifth member of the Tar Heel offense to end up on an award’s “watch list” for 2016–as he is one of 53 players currently expected to contend for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the nation’s top pass-catcher at the end of each year.

The 6-foot-4 speedster is a former walk-on who emerged last season as head coach Larry Fedora’s top deep threat by gaining 745 yards on just 30 catches–leading the NCAA with 24.8 yards per reception.

He has also been a special teams captain in each of the last three seasons.

Hollins graduated last May, but is enrolled in UNC’s sports administration program as he plays out his final year of eligibility.

With his addition to the Biletnikoff’s watch list, Hollins joins the following members of the Tar Heel offense to be honored this preseason: Elijah Hood (Maxwell Award), Lucas Crowley (Rimington Trophy), Jon Heck (Outland Trophy) and Nick Weiler (Groza Award).

Fedora–the guru behind UNC’s offensive attack–is also a part of the distinguished club, having been named to the watch list for the Dodd Trophy as the nation’s coach of the year.

All this really means is that starting quarterback Mitch Trubisky will have plenty of talent surrounding him, as he looks to make a seamless transition into his new role.

Should that happen, the Tar Heels could contend yet again for the ACC Coastal Division Championship–especially as the defense continues to make strides under second-year coordinator Gene Chizik.

Hollins and Trubisky have already forged quite the connection, as the two showed during an early-season game against Delaware last fall.

After replacing struggling starter Marquise Williams in the second quarter, Trubisky found Hollins three times for 100 yards and two scores–including a 64-yard bomb that highlights everything great about Hollins’ impressive skill set.

http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/unc-wr-mack-hollins-on-biletnikoff-award-watch-list

UNC’s Davis Makes Biletnikoff Watch List

TALLAHASSEE — Explosive sophomore Tar Heel receiver Quinshad Davis was named to the 2013 Biletnikoff Award Watch List on Tuesday.

It is certainly a positive sign that Davis has been tabbed for such a prestigious award on the offensive side of the ball as so much of the up-tempo offensive success for the Tar Heels will hinge on the sure hands of wide receivers like Davis.

The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the most outstanding receiver in college football. The award recipient is selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of more than 200 prominent college football journalists, commentators, and former receivers.

Davis had an electrifying freshman season in Chapel Hill, racking up 776 receiving yards on 61 catches. Both tallies set freshman records for UNC. In fact, his 61 reception total was good for second all-time for freshmen in ACC history.

http://chapelboro.com/sports/unc-sports/sophomore-receiver-davis-on-biletnikoff-watch-list