Considering he is the only finalist from the 2014 Biletnikoff Award to return to the college ranks, it’s no surprise that Colorado State wide receiver Rashard Higgins is on the preseason watch list for the annual award given to the nation’s top collegiate receiver. On Wednesday, the award made its 2015 watch list official and Higgins is considered a heavy favorite.
Higgins is one of 48 receivers selected to the watch list, including 30 underclassmen and five players from the Mountain West. He is one of three finalists from 2014 and the only returning player in 2015.
As a sophomore in 2014, Higgins was a consensus first-team All-American after leading the NCAA FBS with 1,750 receiving yards, 17 touchdown receptions and 18.2 yards per catch. He totaled at least 100 yards in nine-consecutive games, a CSU record and a streak which led the nation. In two seasons, Higgins has already set CSU’s career touchdown receptions record (23) and ranks fifth with 2,587 receiving yards.
In addition to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, Higgins has also been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, plus was chosen as a first-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele and the Sporting News.