UNC Football: Josh Downs named a semi-finalist for Biletnikoff Award

The 2021 UNC Football season hasn’t gone as planned with high expectations leading into the year for Mack Brown and his team. However, there have been some bright spots this season that could have an impact on next season.

One of those bright spots is wide receiver Josh Downs.

The sophomore out of Suwanee, Georgia has taken a big step forward this season for the Tar Heels, being the teams best wide receiver and among the best in the country. Now, with two regular season games left to go, Downs is being honored for his play.

On Monday, Downs was one of 10 players named as a semi-finalist for the Biletnikoff Award as the season winds down. Joining Downs on the list is: Jordan Addison (Pitt), David Bell (Purdue), Jahan Dotson (Penn State), Drake London (USC), Chris Olave (Ohio State), A.T. Perry (Wake Forest), Jerreth Sterns (Western Kentucky), Deven Thompkins (Utah State) and Jameson Williams (Alabama).

Downs has been Sam Howell’s top target this season, catching 82 passes for 1,109 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He’s averaging 13.5 yards per reception and leads the country in yards after catch with 614 yards.

He’s also in some rare company. Downs is just the sixth receiver in program history to reach the 1,000-yard mark for a single season joining Hakeem Nicks, Dwight Jones, Ryan Switzer, Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome. He needs 114 receiving yards to pass Nicks for the most receiving yards in a single season for the program, with just two games left.

The list will be cut down to three finalists and then a winner. Fans can vote once a day and the total fan vote will be counted as one vote in the process among panelists.

For more on Downs and other UNC Football players, please make sure to check back with Keeping It Heel.