The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., the creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award, announces that Marqise Lee of the University of Southern California is the 2012 Biletnikoff Award recipient as the outstanding receiver in college football. Lee was selected by the Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee of 190 prominent college football sportswriters, commentators, analysts, and former players. Trustees of the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation are prohibited from serving on the National Selection Committee and, hence, cannot vote. Please consult the website for a full list of voters.
Foundation Trustee and Selection Chairman Ritchie Pickron noted, “The 2012 college receivers are among the most talented and their number of outstanding receivers among the highest in the history of the Biletnikoff Award. Our voters had a difficult time because of the high quality of the group.” Foundation Chairman and Founding Trustee Walter W. Manley, II, remarked,” As the passing game has become more dominant at the college level, the quality and quantity of terrific receivers have increased significantly. Receivers , consequently, have become the most exciting players in college football. We are proud that Fred Biletnikoff, a player with the integrity and drive to be the best player he could become, is honored by our award as well. There is a lot of Fred in Marqise Lee, to their mutual credit.”
Lee, a 21-year-old Trojan sophomore, finished the 2012 regular season with 112 catches for 1,680 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, plus a kickoff return for a touchdown. He currently is second nationally in per game receptions (9.3, first in Pac-12) and receiving yards (140.0), third in all-purpose yards (215.7, first in Pac-12) and 11th in kickoff returns (28.6, first in Pac-12). He has set or tied 12 USC individual records in 2012 (four are Pac-12 marks) and five other school combination records that he set with Robert Woods (one of which is an NCAA mark). His 112 receptions and 1,680 receiving yards are Pac-12 season records.
Lee was a 2012 All-America first team pick by the American Football Coaches Association. He was the 2012 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, was the only unanimous pick on the All-Pac-12 first team and also made the All-Pac-12 second team as a return specialist. Lee has also made the 2012 Sporting News and Phil Steele’s Mid-Season All-American first teams.
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc. congratulates Marqise Lee on being selected the 2012 Biletnikoff Award recipient and will present the award-winning Biletnikoff Award trophy, the most beautiful in college sports, to him at the 19th annual Biletnikoff Award Banquet for 550 patrons at the University Center Club at Tallahassee’s Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, February 9, 2013, with Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka delivering the keynote address. At the banquet, the Foundation will recognize high school seniors who have overcome significant barriers to achieve at the highest academic and extracurricular levels and who will receive over $640,000 in college scholarships from the Foundation.