Tylan Wallace watches Alabama receiver get Biletnikoff Award
A few times this season, before games, Oklahoma State receiver Tylan Wallace would receive a text message from mentor and former teammate James Washington.
The messages were generally the same, always including a photo of the ring Washington received after he won the Biletnikoff Award last season as college football’s best receiver.
“I thought you should see that just to have a little motivation,” Washington would write.
Wallace might have some additional motivation next season, too. After being named one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, Wallace came up emptyhanded at the College Football Awards show in Atlanta on Thursday night.
Alabama sophomore Jerry Jeudy was named the winner of the award.
Through 13 games, Jeudy has 1,103 yards and 12 touchdowns on 59 receptions heading into the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Recognition has continued to come Wallace’s way as he rose from a little-used true freshman last season to one of the best receivers in the country.
The 6-foot, 185-pound native of Fort Worth, Texas, has 1,408 yards and 11 touchdowns on 79 receptions through 12 games.
He was named a second-team Walter Camp All-American on Thursday.
He also was selected as a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, given to the top offensive player in Division I football who was born in Texas, graduated from a Texas high school or played at a Texas-based college.