Colorado State University Athletics
Biletnikoff Award winner to be revealed tonight on ESPN
12/7/2017 1:54:00 PM | Football
Michael Gallup in Atlanta for annual College Football Awards, beginning with Red Carpet Special at 4 MT on ESPNU
The wait is nearly over. Michael Gallup, and Rams fans everywhere, will learn the winner of the 2017 Biletnikoff Award live on ESPN tonight during the Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Colorado State senior wide receiver was named one of three finalists for the prestigious award on Nov. 20, along with Oklahoma State's James Washington and West Virginia's Davis Sills. All three will be in attendance at tonight's show, broadcast live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta beginning at 5 p.m. MT. A Red Carpet Special precedes the show, on ESPNU, at 4 p.m. MT.
Gallup would be the second Ram to earn a major national award, joining former CSU safety Greg Myers who won the 1995 Jim Thorpe Award. Colorado State is in contention for an award for the third time in the last four seasons. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins, as a CSU sophomore, was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2014, and former Rams punter Hayden Hunt was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award as a junior in 2015. Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (Alabama) won the 2014 Biletnikoff Award and Tom Hackett (Utah) won the 2015 Ray Guy Award.Â
The Walter Camp All-America team also will be announced in conjunction with tonight's show. The Rams' most recent Walter Camp selection was first-team choice Higgins in 2014. Kapri Bibbs earned second team honors in 2013.
Gallup and fellow finalists for 10 major national college football awards arrived in Atlanta on Wednesday and have enjoyed a series of events to celebrate their accomplishments. Each student-athlete was able to tour the Hall of Fame, which opened in 2014, and took part in a media session Wednesday evening. A welcome dinner, hosted by the Chik-Fil-A Peach Bowl, followed at the nearby Georgia Aquarium. College football's top student-athletes of 2017, their family and friends, awards organization representatives, ESPN personalities and members of the National College Football Awards Association enjoyed a buffet dinner and the opportunity to mingle and reflect on the season and their college careers.
Earlier today Gallup joined his fellow awards finalists for an interview session with ESPN.com writers and social media staff. The surroundings provide a spectacular glimpse at the history of college football in America. Colorado State, and all football-playing universities, are represented prominently, including on the interactive photo and video wall, and the popular helmet wall that spans the three-story entry to the Hall.
The Hall also features Colorado State's three College Football Hall of Fame inductees, Fum McGraw (Class of 1981), Earle Bruce (Class of 2002) and Myers (Class of 2012).
Gallup will return to Fort Collins Friday and will re-join his teammates in their preparation for the Dec. 16 Gildan New Mexico Bowl vs. Marshall. The Rams will travel to Albuquerque Dec. 13 to continue preparations before taking part in their 17th bowl game in school history. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. Tickets are available at CSURams.com/tickets or by calling 800-491-RAMS (7267).
