Texas Tech University Athletics
Carter named to Biletnikoff watch list
August 19, 2026 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr. was one of two tight ends named to the 45-player Biletnikoff Award watch list, announced Wednesday by the organization in conjunction with the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver.
Any player, regardless of position — wide receiver, tight end, slotback or running back — who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football's outstanding receiver, not merely college football's outstanding wide receiver.
Carter and Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson were the only two tight ends named to the 45-player watch list, which also features 43 of the top wide receivers in college football.
The Biletnikoff is the third watch list for Carter this preseason. He was previously named to the Mackey Award watch list on Aug. 5, which is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding collegiate tight end, and the Lombardi Trophy watch list on Aug. 11, which honors the nation's top college linemen and linebackers who reflect legendary coach Vince Lombardi's enduring principles of leadership, integrity and perseverance.
Carter returns as the nation's leading returning tight end in receiving yards from a year ago with 624 and was tabbed to the All-Big 12 preseason team prior to this year's Big 12 Football Media Days event in July. He also enters his senior season as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning tight end.
Prior to the 2025 season, Texas Tech wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Reggie Virgil were named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, with both going on to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins selected Douglas in the third round (No. 75 overall), while the Arizona Cardinals selected Virgil in the fifth round (No. 143 overall).
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award candidate eligibility and voting criteria, which are transparently explicit and detailed, are available for review at BiletnikoffAward.com/criteria.
The 2026 Biletnikoff Award schedule begins Sept. 23, when fan voting opens. The Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee will vote Nov. 9-15 to determine the semifinalists, who will be announced Nov. 16. Fan voting to help determine the three finalists will take place Nov. 16-22, with the finalists announced Nov. 24. Final voting to determine the 2026 Biletnikoff Award winner will take place Nov. 24-Dec. 5, with the winner announced Dec. 11 on The Home Depot College Football Awards. The 2026 Biletnikoff Award winner will then be honored at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration on Saturday, March 20, 2027, at the basketball arena at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.
About the Biletnikoff Award/NCFAA
Its namesake, Fred Biletnikoff, is a member of the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns during his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI. The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation Inc. is the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award.
The Biletnikoff Award is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Any player, regardless of position — wide receiver, tight end, slotback or running back — who catches a pass is eligible for the award. As such, the Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football's outstanding receiver, not merely college football's outstanding wide receiver.
Carter and Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson were the only two tight ends named to the 45-player watch list, which also features 43 of the top wide receivers in college football.
The Biletnikoff is the third watch list for Carter this preseason. He was previously named to the Mackey Award watch list on Aug. 5, which is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding collegiate tight end, and the Lombardi Trophy watch list on Aug. 11, which honors the nation's top college linemen and linebackers who reflect legendary coach Vince Lombardi's enduring principles of leadership, integrity and perseverance.
Carter returns as the nation's leading returning tight end in receiving yards from a year ago with 624 and was tabbed to the All-Big 12 preseason team prior to this year's Big 12 Football Media Days event in July. He also enters his senior season as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning tight end.
Prior to the 2025 season, Texas Tech wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Reggie Virgil were named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, with both going on to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins selected Douglas in the third round (No. 75 overall), while the Arizona Cardinals selected Virgil in the fifth round (No. 143 overall).
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. The Biletnikoff Award candidate eligibility and voting criteria, which are transparently explicit and detailed, are available for review at BiletnikoffAward.com/criteria.
The 2026 Biletnikoff Award schedule begins Sept. 23, when fan voting opens. The Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee will vote Nov. 9-15 to determine the semifinalists, who will be announced Nov. 16. Fan voting to help determine the three finalists will take place Nov. 16-22, with the finalists announced Nov. 24. Final voting to determine the 2026 Biletnikoff Award winner will take place Nov. 24-Dec. 5, with the winner announced Dec. 11 on The Home Depot College Football Awards. The 2026 Biletnikoff Award winner will then be honored at the Biletnikoff Award Banquet & Celebration on Saturday, March 20, 2027, at the basketball arena at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center in Tallahassee.
About the Biletnikoff Award/NCFAA
Its namesake, Fred Biletnikoff, is a member of the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns during his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI. The Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation Inc. is the Florida-based creator and sponsor of the prestigious Biletnikoff Award.
The Biletnikoff Award is one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
- Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18