Sims earns Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List nod
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Kansas senior wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. was one of 50 players named to the 2018 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, announced by the award’s creator and sponsor, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, on Thursday.
The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the outstanding FBS receiver in college football. Any player, regardless of position (wide receiver, tight end, slot back and running back), who catches a pass is eligible for the award.
A native of Houston, Texas, Sims led Kansas in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (839) in 2017 and scored six receiving touchdowns. Sims ranked seventh in the Big 12 in receptions last season and 10th in receiving yards per game. His efforts in 2017 landed him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention from the league’s coaches.
Sims heads into the 2018 season ranked fifth in career receiving yards at KU with 2,049, just 260 yards behind second-place receiver Kerry Meier (2006-09) and 1,191 yards behind first-place receiver Dezmon Briscoe (2007-09). Sims also ranks third in career receptions at Kansas (161) and sixth in touchdown receptions (15).
The award’s namesake, Fred Biletnikoff, is 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 1965-1978. Biletnikoff was the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XI.
Sims and the Jayhawks will begin the 2018 season on September 1 vs. Nicholls State. Kansas great Chris Harris Jr. will enter the Ring of Honor during KU’s opener versus NSU, and the 2008 Insight Bowl team will also be celebrated.
The Jayhawks will also host nonconference opponent Rutgers (Sept. 15/Family Weekend, Childhood Cancer Awareness) as Todd Reesing, who owns 14 school records and is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history, will have his name etched next to other Jayhawk legends in the Ring of Honor.
Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State (Sept. 29/Homecoming, K-Club Weekend), TCU (Oct. 27/Jayhawks for a Cure), Iowa State (Nov. 3/Salute to Service) and Texas (Nov. 23/Senior Day) will each visit Lawrence during the 2018 campaign.
For ticket information contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or visit KUTickets.com.
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