clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Austin Hill Lands On Biletnikoff Watch List

By Kyle Kensing
Sept. 1, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Austin Hill (29) dives to catch a 30 yard touchdown during the first half against the Toledo Rockets at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Sept. 1, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Austin Hill (29) dives to catch a 30 yard touchdown during the first half against the Toledo Rockets at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-US PRESSWIRE
Juron Criner etched out a career at Arizona worthy of mention alongside other great Wildcat receivers like Dennis Northcutt, Bobby Wade and Mike Thomas. Replacing the 209 catches, 2858 yards and 32 touchdowns Criner massed in his career was among the most noticeable challenges facing the 2012 Wildcats.

Much like Criner’s emergence in 2009 with Thomas graduated and Rob Gronkowski sidelined, someone has stepped up to the challenge. Austin Hill is leading a surprisingly potent UA aerial attack, and his efforts garnered inclusion on the Biletnikoff Award watch list Tuesday.

Hill joins Dan Buckner on the watch list for an honor given to college football’s top receiver. Hill has been quarterback Matt Scott’s top target, catching 17 balls for 319 yards and a touchdown. That one score also happens to be the most highlight reel worthy play any Wildcat has made yet in 2012 (picture above).

Hill ranks No. 12 among all Bowl Subdivision players in receiving yards per game at 106.3, and is second among Pac-12 Conference participants. Only USC star Marqise Lee has been more prolific.

More From Arizona Desert Swarm