A historic season is bearing fruit for sophomore receiver Josh Downs. Downs, who was previously named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List in September, was named a semifinalist for the award Monday.

The Biletnikoff Award honors the top pass catcher in the country. Downs is one of 10 semifinalists for the award, and one of three players on the list from the ACC. The others are Wake Forest’s A.T. Perry and Pittsburgh’s Jordan Addison.

Downs ranks in the nation’s top four in receptions, receiving yards and yards after catch, and he is the best-performing sophomore in either category. His eight touchdown catches are tied for 12th nationally. Downs caught touchdown passes in Carolina’s first seven games of the season, and eight consecutive games when counting last season’s Orange Bowl. He’s totaled at least eight catches in all but one of UNC’s games this year, including an eight-catch, 95-yard performance against Pittsburgh on Thursday. His 110.9 receiving yards per game ranks sixth in the country.

Downs has been named the ACC’s Receiver of the Week three times in 2021, after wins over Virginia, Duke and Miami. His performance against the Cavaliers was his best of the season: eight catches, 203 yards and two touchdowns in a 59-39 Carolina victory.

Voting for the three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award will take place this week, with the finalists being announced next Tuesday, and a winner declared on December 9.

Carolina has never had a Biletnikoff Award winner in program history. The award was first given out in 1994.

 

Featured image via 247 Sports

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