Illini receiver Arrelious Benn has been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Trophy and guard Jon Asamoah is on the list for the Outland Trophy. Those announcements give Illinois five players who are on preseason watch lists for various national awards.

Benn already had been included on the Walter Camp player of the year list. He has been named a preseason first-team All-American by virtually every college football publication.

Of course, these lists are crowded in the preseason with 40 players mentioned for Outland consideration and 37 for the Biletnikoff.

The Walter Camp watch list is interesting because it includes Penn State quarterback Darryl Clark and running back Evan Royster. But it does not include Big Ten preseason player of the year Terrelle Pryor or Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, who led the Big Ten in total offense last season.

Previously named to watch lists were Williams (Davey O’Brien), tight end Michael Hoomanawanui (Mackey Award) and defensive end Doug Pilcher (Ted Hendricks).