USF Football Wide Receiver Xavier Weaver Named to Fred Biletnikoff Award Watch List

South Florida Bulls football wide receiver Xavier Weaver was named to the Fred Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list on Thursday—the first Bull to be on the watch list since Rodney Adams in 2016. The award is given annually to the top receiver in the country.

Weaver was the leading receiver for the Bulls in 2021 as he led the team in catches (41), yards (715), touchdowns (2), and yards per catch (17.4). His 715 receiving yards in 2021 was good enough for fifth all-time in a season at USF.

The Orlando native became a favorite target for quarterback TImmy McClain after became the starter. Weaver had a knack for coming down with 50/50 balls, and was clutch in big moments.

Weaver had at least five receptions or 60+ yards in eight of the ten games he played in, including a five catch, 91-yard, one touchdown performance in the rain at ECU. He followed that up with a six catch, 105-yard games the next week versus Houston.

In a loaded receivers room, it’ll be interesting to see how the target share works out, but make no mistake, if it’s a jump ball 30 yards down field, put your money on Weaver coming down with the ball.