PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi mentioned after winning the ACC Coastal Championship Saturday he doesn't know how anyone but sophomore Jordan Addison wins the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver.
Let's look at the numbers to see where Addison stands among the other nine semifinalists.
Touchdown receptions (more than anyone in FBS)
· Jordan Addison 15
· Jameson Williams-Alabama 13
· Chris Olave-Ohio State 13
· Jerreth Sterns-Western Ky 12
· AT Perry-Wake Forest 11
· Jahan Dotson-Penn State 10
· Deven Thompkins-Utah State 9
· Drake London-USC 8
· Josh Downs-UNC 8
· David Bell-Purdue 5
Receptions
· Jerreth Sterns-Western Ky 123
· Josh Downs-North Carolina 90
· Drake London-USC 88
· David Bell-Purdue 87
· Jahan Dotson-Penn State 83
· Devin Thompkins-Utah State 82
· Jordan Addison-Pitt 74
· Jameson Williams-Alabama 59
· Chris Olave-Ohio State 58
· AT Perry-Wake Forest 52
Receiving Yards
· Deven Thompkins-Utah St. 1508
· Jerreth Sterns-Western Ky 1501
· Jordan Addison-Pitt 1272
· Jameson Williams-Alabama 1218
· David Bell-Purdue 1207
· Josh Downs-North Carolina 1198
· Drake London-USC 1084
· Jahan Dotson-Penn State 1045
· AT Perry-Wake Forest 1031
· Chris Olave-Ohio State 848
Receiving Yards Per Game
· Deven Thompkins-Utah State 137.1
· Jerreth Sterns-Western Ky 136.5
· Drake London-USC 135.5
· David Bell-Purdue 120.7
· Jordan Addison-Pitt 115.6
· Jameson Williams-Alabama 110.7
· Josh Downs-UNC 108.9
· Jahan Dotson-Penn State 95.0
· AT Perry-Wake Forest 93.7
· Chris Olave-Ohio State 77.1
These are the main receiving stats, Addison has also made a few splash punt returns, others have impacts in various areas. We will stick to just the receiver stats. How does Addison stack up?
Let's eliminate Jerreth Sterns and Deven Thompkins, they aren't in the Power 5 and the last receiver to win the Biletnikoff without playing at a Power 5 school was former Steeler Troy Edwards (Louisiana Tech) in 1998.
As great of seasons as Olave and Perry are having, each are bottom two in the three of the four categories.
Downs is second in receptions, but trails Addison is every other category. He plays for a North Carolina team that has underperformed overall and for what it's worth, Pitt beat UNC. Take Downs out.
Dotson is in a similar situation to Downs when comparing to Addison. The Nittany Lions star has nine more receptions, but trails in every other category. Dotson done.
Bell has 13 more receptions and five yards a game more per average, Bell has fewer yards and 10 fewer touchdowns. Take Bell off the list.
London has a dozen more receptions than the Panther. He has 20 more receiving yards per game with Addison leading in total receiving yards and seven more touchdowns. It's a close comparison, but the touchdown edge is substantial.
That leaves one. Seems like voters love Alabama and generally think the SEC is miles ahead of other conferences. There are discussions of a two-loss Alabama team being a legitimate playoff contender. Overall Addison leads Williams in touchdowns (2), receptions (15), yards (54) and yards per game (4.9).
There are two games still to play, but as we sit heading into the final week of the regular season, Narduzzi and Pitt players are biased, but also right. When judging Addison against his peers. Jordan Addison should join Larry Fitzgerald as the school's second Biletnikoff Award winner.
