The idea that Penn State has a strong tight end combination was supported by the release of the watch list for the Mackey Award on Friday. [autotag]Theo Johnson[/autotag] and [autotag]Brenton Strange[/autotag] were each included on the watch list for the award for the nation’s top tight end.
Johnson had 19 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown last season, while Strange hauled in 20 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Penn State hopes to get more production out of the position with these two leading the way as offensive coordinator [autotag]Mike Yurcich[/autotag] goes into his second season on the staff.
Penn State also had a couple of receivers named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award earlier in the week. [autotag]Parker Washington[/autotag] and [autotag]Mitchell Tinsley[/autotag] were included on the watch list for the nation’s top receiver.
Some notable former winners of the Mackey Award, which was first awarded in 2000, include Dallas Clark (Iowa, 2002), Aaron Hernandez (Florida, 2009), Jake Butt (Michigan, 2016), and Kyle Pitts (Florida, 2020). T.J. Hockenson of Iowa is the most recent player from the Big Ten to take home the award.
Penn State has never had a Mackey Award winner. Last year’s winner of the award was Trey McBride of Colorado State.
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