The Biletnikoff Award is often thought of as the award for “best wide receiver” but on Tuesday, Florida standout Kyle Pitts became the first-ever tight end to be named a finalist. Pitts faces stiff competition, going up against Alabama’s DeVonta Smith and Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore.

Tuesday’s announcement focused on the inclusion of Pitts, noting the award is for college football’s top pass-catcher:

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’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.

Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore had 86 receptions in eight games for 8 touchdowns and averaged 149 yards in receptions per game, which led all FBS players. His 1,193 yards receiving rank second among FBS players.

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts had 43 receptions in eight games for 770 yards, averaging 17.9 yards per catch and 96 yards receiving per game. His 12 receiving touchdowns rank fourth among FBS players.

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith caught 98 passes for an FBS-leading 1,511 yards and averaged 15.4 yards per reception. His 17 touchdown passes caught and 137 yards per game in receptions both rank second among FBS players.

Twelve times in the Biletnikoff Award’s history of 27 years, two of the 3 finalists have played in the same conference. This year, as in 2008, when finalists and AP first-team All-America receivers Michael Crabtree and Dez Bryant, and All-America Jeremy Maclin played in the same conference –the Big 12– the three finalists also played in the same conference, the SEC.

Noteworthy is the strength of schedule of the 2020 finalists’ teams as ranked by Sagarin: Alabama at 6, Ole Miss at 12, and Florida at 15. ESPN’s ranking of strength of schedule has Florida at 7, Alabama at 15, and Ole Miss at 20. Moreover, according to ESPN, SEC teams played the ten most difficult schedules in college football this year, while Sagarin ranks 13 SEC teams’ schedules among the 15 most difficult in 2020.

The 2020 Biletnikoff Award winner will be presented the Biletnikoff Award trophy by TQC Foundation Chairman George Avant, Jr., keynoter and college hall of famer Chad Hennings, and college and pro football hall of famer Fred Biletnikoff the Biletnikoff Award celebration/presentation at the University Center Club at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Saturday, March 6, 2021.

The name Biletnikoff is synonymous with the term receiver. Fred Biletnikoff, a member of the pro and college football halls of fame, was a consensus All-America receiver at Florida State University, and an All-Pro receiver for the Oakland Raiders. He caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards and 76 touchdowns in his 14-year Raiders career from 1965 through 1978. Fred was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.