Utah senior wide receiver Braden Pegan has been named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, a prestigious honor that showcases the nation's most dynamic pass catchers before the season even begins.
Pegan arrives in Salt Lake City after a breakout 2025 season at Utah State, where he started 11 of 12 games and led the team with 60 receptions for 926 yards. His performance earned him First Team All‑Mountain West honors and positioned him as a top target for the Utes' offense.
A milestone for Utah's receiving corps
His inclusion represents the first time a Utah player has appeared on the Biletnikoff preseason list since 2017 and makes him only the second Ute to be recognized during the season, following Dalton Kincaid's mid‑season addition in 2022.
The Biletnikoff Award, presented by the College Football Writers Association, celebrates the most outstanding receiver in the Football Bowl Subdivision each year. A committee of 625 distinguished journalists, commentators and former receivers votes on the semifinalists, finalists and ultimately the award recipient.
The selection process will unfold over the coming weeks, with semifinalists announced on November 16, finalists revealed on November 24, and the winner crowned on December 11 at the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Pegan's statistical profile is equally compelling: he recorded five touchdown receptions, the second‑most on his team, and logged three 100‑yard receiving games, underscoring his ability to stretch the field and find the end zone.