The South dominates Biletnikoff Award watch list

In addition to conference media days, watch list season is yet another indication that college football is right around the corner. On Wednesday, the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which honors the nation's top receiver, was released. The SEC and ACC each placed seven players on the list.

Alabama is represented by Calvin Ridley andGehrig Dieter. As a freshman, Ridley placed second in the SEC with 1,045 receiving yards last season. Texas A&M's Christian Kirk also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark as a freshman in 2015. Kirk joins Aggies teammate Josh Reynolds on the list. LSU'sMalachi Dupre, Arkansas'Drew Morgan and Mississippi State'sFred Ross round out the SEC's Biletnikoff contenders.

Virginia Tech's Isaiah Ford (ACC-leading 1,164 receiving yards in 2015) headlines the list of candidates from the ACC. The ACC's third-, fourth- and fifth-leading receivers from last season join Ford on the list: Florida State'sTravis Rudolph (916 receiving yards), Clemson'sArtavis Scott (901) and Florida State'sKermit Whitfield (798). Rounding out the list for the ACC is Clemson'sMike Williams, North Carolina'sMack Hollins and Virginia'sTaquan Mizzell.

The winner of the Biletnikoff Award will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8 on ESPN.