UCLA senior wide receiver Jordan Payton has been named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, honoring the top receiver in the nation. Senior center Jake Brendel was also named to another watch list today, the Wuerffel Trophy, which is his third honor of the preseason.
Writing about so many UCLA football players receiving preseason honors is incredible. So far, there has only been one award watch list in the last week and a half in which a Bruin has not been named (that would be the Mackey Award for the top tight end in the nation, though I believe Thomas Duarte should have been selected).
RELATED: Can The 2015 UCLA Football Team Make The National Championship?
The naming of UCLA players to watch lists continued today as both wide receiver Jordan Payton and center Jake Brendel were respectively named to the Biletnikoff Award and Wuerffel Trophy preseason lists.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Jordan Payton is one of 48 players named to the Biletnikoff Award, honoring the top receiver in the nation. Payton had an incredible season last year as he became UCLA’s top receiver with 954 yards and 7 touchdowns. Though the Bruins utilize several receivers in a game, Payton is one of the more skilled and experienced of the bunch. Watch for him this season, along with Devin Fuller, to once again be the top receivers on the team.
There is something to be said about Jake Brendel being named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list which honors a player “that best combines exemplary community service, with athletic and academic achievement.” Brendel has been a rock for UCLA and to be named to this award is a huge honor.
It is also amazing that this is Brendel’s third watch list that he has been named to as he showed up on both the Rimington Trophy and Outland Award lists. Brendel will begin his fourth and final year at UCLA having started every game he has played, missing only one to injury, last season’s opener against Virginia.
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Jake Brendel (54) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports