Robert Woods among 48 named to Biletnikoff watch list


USC junior wide receiver Robert Woods has been named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. announced Tuesday.

The award, which annually honors college football’s most outstanding receiver, is named after Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame. In his 14-year career with the Oakland Raiders, Biletnikoff caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns.

Woods, who fell short to Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon for the award last season, is among a list of 48 receivers on the 2012 watch list. The foundation will proceed to announce 10 semifinalists on Nov. 12, before narrowing the list down to three finalists one week later on Nov. 19. The finalists will earn invitations to The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6 where the winner will be announced.

Despite battling a nagging ankle injury which sapped him of some of his explosiveness, Woods was a consensus 2011 All-American, breaking Keyshawn Johnson’s USC and Pac-12 single season receptions record with 111 catches and 15 touchdowns. Returning as a starter for his third consecutive season, Woods will seek to become USC’s all-time career receiving and kickoff return records holder in 2012.

The nomination marks Woods’ second appearance on a watch list this offseason, having already been named to the Maxwell Award watch list.

Fellow Trojan wideout Marqise Lee, who was named Pac-12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year a season ago after catching 73 passes for 1,143 and 11 touchdowns, was not included on the list.