AAC commissioner Mike Aresco lashes out at Biletnikoff Award

In an unusual move, American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco said Wednesday he is "extremely disappointed" that East Carolina's Justin Hardy was not named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist.

The former executive vice president of programming for CBS Sports also said the receiver has gone about this season with class and deserves to be recognized as one of 10 semifinalists for the award that goes to the nation's top receiver. It is named in honor of NFL Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff.

"While we understand that there are a number of deserving candidates for this honor, anyone who has seen Justin play this year would have to conclude that he is among the best receivers in the nation," Aresco said in a statement. "He has had an outstanding season in every respect.

"Justin Hardy stands out in a very talented group and he deserves to be recognized."

The semifinalists for the award are USC's Nelson Agholor, Alabama's Amari Cooper, Florida State's Rashad Greene, Colorado State's Rashard Higgins, Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, Washington State's Vince Mayle, Oklahoma's Sterling Shepard, Colorado's Nelson Spruce, Arizona State's Jaelen Strong, and West Virginia's Kevin White.

Hardy, a senior from Vanceboro, N.C., is in the top five for NCAA FBS career receptions (346), receiving yards (4,049) and receptions per game (7.7). This season he is third in FBS in receptions per game at 8.9 and eighth in yards per game at 111.3.

It is not common for conference commissioners to become involved in lobbying for individual players. But Aresco cited Hardy's "great class and dignity" in his statement.