Washington · Big TenLawson lands on Biletnikoff Award watch list
The Washington sophomore has 49 catches for 727 yards after taking over when Christian Moss was injured on the opening play.
NOV 9, 2026
Washington sophomore wide receiver Lawson landed on the Biletnikoff Award watch list Monday after an unexpected promotion produced 49 catches for 727 yards and three touchdowns.
Lawson took over for Kennesaw State transfer Christian Moss, who was injured on Washington’s opening offensive play. On Oct. 31, he caught 12 passes for 155 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 left in a 17-10 comeback win at Nebraska.
Lawson ranks seventh in the Big Ten and 24th nationally in receiving yards, and his conference production has been even stronger: 40 catches for 592 yards in six games against Big Ten opponents, third in the league in both categories.
That gives 5-4 Washington a proven receiver to build around as it tries to improve on last season’s 9-4 record and compete in the Big Ten. Lawson has gone from an opening-play replacement to the player at the center of the Huskies’ passing game.
01 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The headline recognition rests on a conference-specific surge, not merely a strong aggregate line. Lawson’s 40 catches in Big Ten games constitute 81.6% of his 49 receptions, while the 592 yards are 81.4% of his 727. Six conference games have supplied that share of the production that lifted him to third in the league in both measures.
That concentration puts the Nebraska finish in clearer perspective. The 12-catch, 155-yard effort accounts for 30% of his Big Ten catches and 26.2% of his Big Ten yards, and it came in a 17-10 road win on Oct. 31. Washington’s 5-4 start leaves it with four fewer wins than its 9-4 finish in 2025.
02 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Will Lawson be part of Washington’s plans beyond 2026?
The report does not say whether Lawson will remain with Washington after the season. That answer determines whether the Huskies can carry forward the receiver responsible for 40 catches and 592 yards in six Big Ten games as they try to improve on a 5-4 record. A decision from Lawson or Washington would resolve the roster question.
Can Lawson stay among the Big Ten’s leaders through conference play?
Lawson is third in the Big Ten in catches and receiving yards against conference opponents, a different standing from his seventh-place overall Big Ten rank in receiving yards. Maintaining that place would extend the gap between his league-production ranking and his aggregate-yardage ranking. The next published Big Ten statistics will show how those positions change.