Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch Lister Te’Vailance Hunt Looks to Cement His Red Wolf Legacy

The expectations Arkansas State has set for wide receiver makes is high. Omar Bayless was named Sun Belt Player of the Year in 2019. Jonathan Adams was named SBC Offensive Player of the Year the very next season. Kirk Merritt led the Sun Belt in receiving yards in 2018. Chris Murray led the conference in TD receptions in 2017 (and Kendall Sanders in 2016, Tre Houston in 2015). My point is that the Red Wolves have set the bar for wide receiving excellence in the Sun Belt.

With All-American WR Corey Rucker portaling Jonesboro for South Carolina, the position for alpha Red Wolf wide receiver is open. Talented junior Jeff Foreman is one qualified applicant. Oregon State transfer Champ Flemming is a dark horse. But the money has senior Te’Vailance Hunt seizing the super wideout mantle.

High expectations are nothing new for Hunt; he entered his college career a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of Texas High School in Texarkana. For three seasons, Hunt plied his craft at TCU, turning in a decent sophomore season with one touchdown on 308 receiving yards. Next season, Hunt handled just two passes. When the 2021 season ended, Hunt was Jonesboro-bound.

Hunt put in better-than-solid work his first year as a Red Wolf was, finishing second on the team with 740 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 51 receptions. He’s a big target. At 6’2″, 200-pounds, Hunt is easy to see on the field. His size and physicality bear resemblances to Jonathan Adams, though Hunt might have a bit more speed.

The man behind center will ultimately determine Hunt’s place in Red Wolves history. Bayless and Adams both benefited from free-spirited thrower Justice Hansen. Hunt is among the taller wideouts on the team, making him the primary safety outlet for James Blackman, the presumed A-State starter at QB. Hunt’s pursuit of the 50% ball will be critical to his legacy.

The Biletnikoff Award has eyes on Hunt, as does the entirety of the Red Wolves faithful. All signs point to a specials season. No pressure, tho.

PHOTO CREDIT: MINE