SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State wide receivers Chris Dawn, Jr. and Beau Sparks have been named to the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, the Tallahassee Quarterback Club (TQC) Foundation, Inc., announced Wednesday.

The recognition places the Bobcats among an exclusive group of programs with multiple selections to the prestigious preseason list. Texas State is one of just eight schools nationally with multiple players represented on the 2026 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List, joining Miami, LSU, Texas, Oklahoma State, California, Tennessee, Colorado and Houston.

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes college football's outstanding FBS receiver, regardless of position. Wide receivers, tight ends, slot backs and running backs who catch a pass are all eligible for the award, which is based on single-season performance.

Dawn Jr. and Sparks enter the 2026 season following standout campaigns in which both established themselves among the nation's most productive receivers and helped lead Texas State to one of the most prolific passing attacks in the program's history.

Dawn Jr. enters his senior season after becoming just the third player in Texas State history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season in 2025. The Houston, Texas, native started all 12 games played last season and ranked second on the team with 65 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. His 1,007 receiving yards rank fourth in a single season in program history, while his 65 receptions rank eighth.

Dawn Jr. averaged 83.92 receiving yards per game, which ranked 13th nationally. He recorded five 100-yard receiving games, including a career-high 180 yards at Marshall, the eighth-most receiving yards in a single game in Texas State history. He capped the season with a record-setting performance in the Armed Forces Bowl, hauling in 11 receptions, the most in Armed Forces Bowl history.

His efforts earned him All-Sun Belt Conference Third Team and Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Conference Second Team honors.

Sparks returns for his senior season after putting together one of the most productive receiving seasons in Texas State history in 2025. A First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection at wide receiver and second-team all-purpose player, Sparks started all 13 games and led the Bobcats with 84 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns.

His 1,200 receiving yards ranked sixth nationally, while his 84 receptions established a Texas State single-season record. His receiving-yard total ranks second in program history, and his 10 receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth.

The El Pason, Texas, native recorded three 100-yard receiving games and delivered a record-tying performance against Eastern Michigan, catching four touchdown passes to match the Texas State single-game record. Sparks also recorded 186 receiving yards at Louisiana, the sixth-most in a game in Texas State history, and added 168 yards at Marshall, the 10th-most in program history.

Beyond his receiving production, Sparks contributed 1,346 all-purpose yards, six carries for 74 yards and a touchdown, and 13 punt returns for 72 yards.

Sparks was also named to the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Watch List.