Watch List Watch: Stoll, Spielman and Martinez

Along with Big Ten Media Days, we have a couple more watch lists out. Lo and behold, there are Huskers on some of them.

Martinez Named to Big Ten Preseason Watch List

A panel of conference media members selected 10 players – five from the East and West Divisions – as preseason nominees. Martinez, the only quarterback on the 10-player list, is the first Husker signal caller to earn a nod on the Big Ten preseason list since another quarterback named Martinez in 2013 (Taylor Martinez).

2019 Big Ten Players to Watch
EAST DIVISION
Joe Bachie, Sr., LB, Michigan State
Kenny Willekes, Sr., DE, Michigan State
J.K. Dobbins, Jr., RB, Ohio State
Chase Young, Jr., DE, Ohio State
Yetur Gross-Matos, Jr., DE, Penn State

WEST DIVISION
A.J. Epenesa, Jr., DE, Iowa
Adrian Martinez, So., QB, Nebraska
Paddy Fisher, Jr., LB, Northwestern
Rondale Moore, So., WR, Purdue
Jonathan Taylor, Jr., RB, Wisconsin

Nebraska Preseason Big Ten Honorees (2011-Present)
2019 – Adrian Martinez, QB
2018 - Stanley Morgan Jr., WR
2015 - Maliek Collins, DT
2015 - De’Mornay Pierson-El, WR
2014 - Ameer Abdullah, RB
2014 - Randy Gregory, DE
2013 - Taylor Martinez, QB
2012 - Rex Burkhead, RB
2011 - Jared Crick, DT
2011 - Lavonte David, LB

Spielman Named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List

Nebraska junior wide receiver JD Spielman was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list. It is the second straight year Spielman has been on this list. The award is presented to that season’s most outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position.

Spielman is one of only five Big Ten players on the 50-member preseason list. The 5-foot-9, 180-pounder has a chance to finish his junior season as the most prolific receiver in Nebraska history. He is only 68 catches and 1,099 yards away from the Husker career record in both categories.

Last season, Spielman hauled in 66 passes for 881 yards and eight touchdowns, despite missing the final two games of the season. He finished on NU’s top-10 single-season list in catches (third), yards (ninth) and touchdowns (seventh). Spielman ranked among the Big Ten leaders in receptions per game (6.6, second), receiving yards per game (81.8, fourth) and all-purpose yards per game (111.5, fifth) en route to earning All-Big Ten honors for the second straight season. He is the only player in school history with a 200-yard receiving game.

Stoll on Mackey Award Watch List

Nebraska junior tight end Jack Stoll was named to the 2019 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List on Friday.

The Mackey Award, named after NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey, is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. Stoll made the watch list for the second straight season, becoming the first Husker to earn a spot on the Mackey Award Watch List in back-to-back seasons since Kyler Reed in 2011 and 2012.

Stoll led Nebraska’s tight ends with 21 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018, setting career highs in each category. The Colorado native had a strong finish to the season, totaling 11 receptions, including two touchdown grabs, in the season’s final five games, including hauling in a career-long 37-yard catch against Bethune-Cookman and tying his career high with four receptions in the season finale at Iowa.

Congratulations to these three Huskers on receiving some preseason recognition!