Two UNC football tight ends land on Mackey Award watch list

Two UNC football players were named to the 2024 Mackey Award watch list.

While North Carolina lost some production on the offensive side of the football, they return two key contributors. Among the players returning for the Tar Heels are a pair of tight ends who will have an impact on the offense in Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver.

And on Friday, both earned some preseason recognition.

Both Copenhaver and Nesbit were named to the 2024 Mackey Award watch list for the 2024 season. It’s the second straight season that the duo were named to the watch list for the award that honors the most outstanding collegiate tight end each season.

For Nesbit, he’s coming off a big 2023 season in which he earned first-team All-ACC honors, appearing in 12 games. He finished the year with 41 receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns.

For Copenhaver, he started 10 games for the Tar Heels in 2023, finishing with  18 receptions for 240 yards and four touchdowns.

Nesbit and Copenhaven are two of eleven tight ends in the Atlantic Coast Conference to make the list. 

The award will trim the list of preseason watch list players down to eight in late October and then three finalists in late November. The winner will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN on Dec. 12.

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