MINNEAPOLIS — He's no longer MInnesota's secret.
Gophers sophomore Rashod Bateman on Monday was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, which recognizes the best receiver in college football.
Bateman is one of a dozen semifinalists, and one of three from the Big Ten Conference who is up for the award.
Through 10 games this year Bateman has 44 catches for 945 yards and seven touchdowns, making him a huge contributor to the Gophers' success. He is just 224 yards shy of tying teammate Tyler Johnson's single season record of 1,169 receiving yards set in 2018 with two games remaining.
Bateman set freshman program records in 2018 with 51 receptions for 704 yards. His six touchdowns during the 2018-19 season rank second. Bateman has caught at least one pass in all 23 games he has played. He caught seven passes for 203 yards against Penn State this year, which was the second most in a game in school history.
The 2019 Biletnikoff Award will be presented live on Dec. 12, 2019, on The Home Depot College Football Awards carried by ESPN.
Bateman is not the only Gopher attracting national attention. Last week Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan was named one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.
