Ryan Switzer openly wondered back in July at the ACC’s Football Kickoff media event what he had to do to earn recognition from the Biletnikoff Award after being left off the preseason watch list for the trophy honoring the nation’s top college receiver. As it turns out, all he had had to do was tie the North Carolina and ACC record for receptions in a game. Two days after catching 16 passes in the Tar Heels’ come-from-behind 37-36 victory against Pittsburgh on Saturday, Switzer has been added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. Switzer leads UNC with 33 catches for 429 yards and two touchdowns. The senior wide receiver was one of eight players gaining recognition Tuesday as Biletnikoff candidates. The others added to the list are Northwestern’s Austin Carr, Ole Miss’ Evan Engram, Wyoming’s Tanner Gentry, Tulsa’s Keevan Lucas, Utah’s Tim Patrick and UConn’s Noel Thomas. Among the receivers previously named to the Biletnikoff list are Switzer’s Tar Heel teammate Mack Hollins and East Carolina’s Zay Jones. The winner of the award will be announced on December 8 as part of a made-for-television college football presentation show.
