Two UNC football tight ends named to Mackey Award watch list

Two UNC football tight ends have been named to a preseason watch list ahead of 2023.

The North Carolina football program is out on the practice fields to prepare for the upcoming 2023 college football season as Mack Brown and his staff hope to have a strong year.

With quarterback Drake Maye returning as a Heisman candidate, the Tar Heels offense should be among the best in the ACC again this year. And a big part of that could be the weapons Maye has, including at the tight end position.  The Tar Heels’ depth at tight end is strong, led by Bryson Nesbit. Behind him are Kamari Morales and John Copenhaver as UNC could look to rotate between the three at times.

On Friday, two of those tight ends earned some preseason recognition.

Both Nesbit and Copenhaver were named to the 2023 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. The award is given out each year to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.

Nesbit is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he 35 receptions for 507 receiving yards. He earned Honorable Mention All-ACC. Meanwhile, Copenhaver had 12 receptions for 198 receiving yards.

The award will cut down the list of nominees to semifinalists and then finalists before announcing a winner in December.

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