FB's Gavin Freeman Added to Biletnikoff Award Watch List
10/7/2026 11:15:00 AM | Football
Fifth-year WR tied for second nationally with 42 receptions
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Baylor football fifth-year wide receiver Gavin Freeman has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, as announced by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club on Wednesday.
Freeman leads the Bears and ranks tied for second nationally with 42 receptions. He has racked up 479 receiving yards through five games in 2026 and scored a pair of touchdowns. The native of Oklahoma City has hauled in at least six catches and gone for at least 47 yards in each of BU's five contests so far this season.
Known for his fearless play style and ability to make defenders miss, evidenced by a pair of highlight-reel hurdles against Colorado and Arizona State, Freeman has fast become a fan favorite in Waco.
In the season opener against Auburn, Freeman posted career highs with 12 receptions and 154 yards, including a game-changing grab on 4th down and a TD snag that brought Baylor within a point of the Tigers. He followed that up with a 10-catch, 104-yard performance in the home opener against Prairie View A&M. Freeman also found the end zone against CU as part of another breakout performance before leading the Bears with 115 yards at ASU in their most recent outing.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season's most outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position, who catches a pass is eligible for the award. The award's semifinalists, three finalists and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 625 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, former Biletnikoff Award winners and other former receivers.
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the watch list. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 16, with the finalists' announcement following on Nov. 24. This year's Biletnikoff Award winner will be announced on Dec. 11 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
BAYLOR FOOTBALL 2026 HONORS
Michael Allen, S
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Jason Witten Man of the Year Nominee
William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
Rhett Armstrong, K
Week 4 – Lou Groza Award Star of the Week
Travion Barnes, LB
Preseason All-Texas Second Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Ryan Davis, JACK
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PFN)
Gavin Freeman, WR
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team (PFN)
DJ Lagway, QB
Week 5 – Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Week 5 – Davey O'Brien Award Great 8
Week 5 – Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week
Week 5 – Manning Award Star of the Week
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Tony Livingston, TE
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Ryelan Morris, RB
Week 5 – Big 12 Freshman of the Week
Dawson Pendergrass, RB
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Jacob Redding, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team FLEX (Sports Info Solutions)
Dylan Schaub, LS
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Kaden Sieracki, OT
Preseason All-Big Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devonte Tezino, DL
Shriners 1000 Watch List
LeVar Thornton Jr., CB
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devin Turner, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Hosea Wheeler, DL
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Palmer Williams, P
Week 4 – Ray Guy Award Ray's 8
Week 4 – Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Week 1 - Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week
Preseason All-America First Team (Walter Camp Foundation)
Preseason All-America Second Team (CBS Sports)
Preseason All-America Third Team (Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (Media, Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Texas First Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Freeman leads the Bears and ranks tied for second nationally with 42 receptions. He has racked up 479 receiving yards through five games in 2026 and scored a pair of touchdowns. The native of Oklahoma City has hauled in at least six catches and gone for at least 47 yards in each of BU's five contests so far this season.
Known for his fearless play style and ability to make defenders miss, evidenced by a pair of highlight-reel hurdles against Colorado and Arizona State, Freeman has fast become a fan favorite in Waco.
In the season opener against Auburn, Freeman posted career highs with 12 receptions and 154 yards, including a game-changing grab on 4th down and a TD snag that brought Baylor within a point of the Tigers. He followed that up with a 10-catch, 104-yard performance in the home opener against Prairie View A&M. Freeman also found the end zone against CU as part of another breakout performance before leading the Bears with 115 yards at ASU in their most recent outing.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season's most outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position, who catches a pass is eligible for the award. The award's semifinalists, three finalists and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 625 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, former Biletnikoff Award winners and other former receivers.
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate. Actual, not potential, performance is the basis for inclusion on the watch list. Semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 16, with the finalists' announcement following on Nov. 24. This year's Biletnikoff Award winner will be announced on Dec. 11 as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.
BAYLOR FOOTBALL 2026 HONORS
Michael Allen, S
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Jason Witten Man of the Year Nominee
William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist
Rhett Armstrong, K
Week 4 – Lou Groza Award Star of the Week
Travion Barnes, LB
Preseason All-Texas Second Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Ryan Davis, JACK
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PFN)
Gavin Freeman, WR
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team (PFN)
DJ Lagway, QB
Week 5 – Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week
Week 5 – Davey O'Brien Award Great 8
Week 5 – Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week
Week 5 – Manning Award Star of the Week
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Tony Livingston, TE
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Ryelan Morris, RB
Week 5 – Big 12 Freshman of the Week
Dawson Pendergrass, RB
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Jacob Redding, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team FLEX (Sports Info Solutions)
Dylan Schaub, LS
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Kaden Sieracki, OT
Preseason All-Big Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devonte Tezino, DL
Shriners 1000 Watch List
LeVar Thornton Jr., CB
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Devin Turner, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Hosea Wheeler, DL
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Palmer Williams, P
Week 4 – Ray Guy Award Ray's 8
Week 4 – Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week
Week 1 - Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week
Preseason All-America First Team (Walter Camp Foundation)
Preseason All-America Second Team (CBS Sports)
Preseason All-America Third Team (Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (Media, Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Texas First Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List
-BaylorBears.com-
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