Dezmon Patmon named to Biletnikoff Award watch list

Two things let you know that college football isn’t actually that far away: Media days and award watch lists.

You’re going to have to wait until Wednesday for Pac-12 Media Day, but award watch list season kicked off for the Washington State Cougars yesterday (with Max Borghi’s inclusion on the Doak Walker Award’s preseason list) and continues today with Dezmon Patmon being named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list.

Although the Cougars have a plethora of talent at wideout, only Patmon was included among the 50 or so players on the early list. That’s because the initial list is based on the previous season’s production, and Patmon led the Cougars with 816 yards, was second in receptions among WRs with 61, and tied for second on the team with five TDs. He also posted a team-best 13.4 yards-per-catch and tied for the team lead with 11 receptions of 20-plus yards.

Even though the organizers of the award explicitly say the list isn’t based on potential, it’s hard to argue that Patmon isn’t still — even after a big 2018 — oozing with potential. At 6-foot-4 and 225 rock solid pounds, Patmon is easily the Cougs’ most physically imposing receiver. After teasing us for his first couple of years with flashes, Patmon finally began to really tap into that advantage last year.

And he might get even more chances to do it this year: Gage Gubrud is unafraid to throw a deep ball and let his talented guy go win it — that was a big part of his success with Cooper Kupp two years ago.

If we’re being honest, it’s probably unlikely that any WSU receiver wins the Biletnikoff Award, given how the Cougs’ offense features great two-deep talent at all the positions, never mind the fact that the offense itself dictates spreading the ball around. But you never know: The right combination can produce some eye-popping numbers (Connor Halliday/Luke Falk —> Vince Mayle, 1483 yards; Graham Harrell —> Michael Crabtree, 1962 yards).

This is the first time WSU has landed someone on the list since Gabe Marks in 2016.

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., will announce the ten Biletnikoff Award semifinalists on November 18, 2019. The three finalists will be declared, following another vote, on November 25, 2019. The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented live on December 12, 2019, at the College Football Hall of Fame on The Home Depot College Football Awards to be broadcast at 4 p.m. PT on ESPN.

Mike Leach on E:60

It’s our understanding that ESPN worked on this one for quite a while, but you’re going to have to get up pretty early to see it — 6 a.m. PT. Might want to set that DVR!

Links

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The last time linebacker Samson Ebukam, quarterback Gage Gubrud and the Washington State Cougars were on the same field, the former Eastern Washington stalwarts helped spearhead a 45-42 upset in Pullman.

Jeff Pollard Named to NABC Honors Court - Washington State University Athletics
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Why I’m selling WSU: Just like Kentucky and Northwestern, I’m going to pick on another team that overachieved last year.

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Oregon opponent early scouting report: Washington State - oregonlive.com
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Predicting Every Power 5 College Football Team's MVP for 2019 Season | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
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Mike Zimmer talks about his time at WSU.