After recording the third-most receiving touchdowns in the Big 12 Conference last season with eight, UCF wide receiver Kobe Hudson has been named to the Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes college football's outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back, and 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.
Hudson played in all 13 games last season and was an honorable mention selection on the All-Big 12 Team chosen by the league’s coaches. He was the second-leading UCF receiver in 2023 with 44 receptions for 900 yards and eight TDs, tied for the third most receiving TDs in the Big 12.
The Pine Mountain, Georgia, native had a career day at Boise State with five receptions for 134 yards, including a 48-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage and a 53-yard catch to set up the only UCF TD on a third-and-14 call. He had a second straight career-best night versus Villanova with six receptions for 147 yards, including a long of 58 yards.
Hudson tallied three consecutive 100-yard receiving games from the Boise State to the Kansas State games, the first to accomplish the feat for UCF since 2020 when Jaylon Robinson hit 100 yards in his first four games.
He was sixth in the Big 12 in receiving yards (69.2 per game) and fourth in the Big 12 and seventh in the NCAA in yards per catch (20.45).
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 18 and three finalists will be released on Nov. 26. The winner of the Biletnikoff Award will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show that airs live on ESPN Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.