The John Mackey Award has released its 2015 Preseason Watch List. The trophy is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, as determained by a vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.
Hall of Fame member John Mackey is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
The award has honored the top tight end since its inception in 2000. This year's list includes 33 of the best tight ends in the nation. Last year's award winner was Florida State's Nick O'Leary. Thirteen of the previous award winners have moved on to the NFL.
The ACC leads the watch list with seven nominees, followed by the SEC with six and the Big Ten with five student-athletes on the watch list.
| 2015 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Year | School |
| Jerell Adams | Sr. | South Carolina |
| Jake Butt | Jr. | Michigan |
| Kyle Carter | Sr. | Penn St |
| Kivon Cartwright | Sr. | Colorado St |
| Jalen Cope-Fitzpatrick | Jr. | USC |
| Alan Cross | Sr. | Memphis |
| Braxton Deaver | Sr. | Duke |
| Jake Duzey | Sr. | Iowa |
| Evan Engram | Jr. | Ole Miss |
| Billy Freeman | Jr. | San Jose St. |
| Jarred Gipson | Jr. | Nevada |
| David Grinnage | Jr. | NC State |
| Darion Griswold | Sr. | Arkansas St |
| Hunter Henry | Jr. | Arkansas |
| Tyler Higbee | Sr. | WKU |
| Bucky Hodges | So. | Virginia Tech |
| J.P. Holtz | Sr. | Pittsburgh |
| Austin Hooper | So. | Stanford |
| O.J. Howard | Jr. | Alabama |
| Jordan Leggett | Jr. | Clemson |
| Ryan Malleck Sr Virginia Tech | Sr. | Virginia Tech |
| Jake McGee Sr Florida | Sr. | Florida |
| Johnny Mundt Jr Oregon | Jr. | Oregon |
| Joshua Perkins Sr Washington | Sr. | Washington |
| Jake Phillips Sr UNLV | Sr. | UNLV |
| Josiah Price Jr Michigan St | Jr. | Michigan State |
| Sean Price Sr USF | Sr. | USF |
| Joel Ruiz Sr Georgia State | Sr. | Georgia State |
| Steven Scheu Sr Vanderbilt | Sr. | Vanderbilt |
| Cam Serigne | So. | Wake Forest |
| Jonnu Smith | Jr. | FIU |
| Nick Vannett | Sr. | Ohio State |
| Steven Walker | Sr. | Colorado State |
| Bryce Williams | Sr. | East Carolina |
