|
The preseason "watch list" of nominees for the John Mackey Award have been announced and three Mid-American Conference performers appear among the list of 32 candidates.
 Presented annually since 2000, the John Mackey Award is presented by the Nassau County Sports Commission to the outstanding tight end in collegiate football. Past winners of the award, named for the NFL Hall of Fame player, have included Dallas Clark, Kellen Winslow, Jr and Mercedes Lewis. Last year's recipient was Matt Spaeth, now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The MAC's representatives on this year's list are all potential All-MAC performers and two of the three appeared on MAC Report Online's Preseason All-MAC team.
Ball State's Darius Hill (6-6, 233), a junior, was named to the John Mackey Award watch list after turning in a spectacular season in 2006 that saw him set a school record for tight ends with ten touchdown receptions, while leading the MAC at his position with 710 yards receiving , averaging 17.3 yards per catch.
Senior Chris Hopkins (6-5, 255) of Toledo has been one of the Rockets' top receiving threats and last season hauled in 54 catches for 565 yards and seven touchdowns. "I count it as an honor and a blessing to even be mentioned among the best tight ends in the country," said Hopkins in a prepared statement. "It just goes to show you it doesn't matter what school you are from, you can be named among the best if you work hard."
Brandon Ledbetter (6-5, 230) was one of the many pleasant surprises last season for the Broncos and is coming off a sophomore season in which he topped all Western Michigan receivers with six touchdowns while placing second on the squad with 423 yards receiving.
The John Mackey Award recipient will be announced in December.
Official press releases also contributed to this report.
|
