BOONE, N.C. — The preseason watch list for the 2018 John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end in college football, includes Appalachian State junior
Collin Reed.
Only two tight ends on the Mackey list had more touchdown receptions in 2017 than Reed, who scored five times as a sophomore. That total ranked first among returning Sun Belt Conference tight ends.
A native of Boiling Springs, S.C., the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Reed had touchdown receptions of 68 and 16 yards in a 106-yard game early last season. His three touchdowns against Sun Belt opponents came at key times in victories when the Mountaineers were trailing by 13 points, trailing by three points and leading by three points.
With tight ends also playing a key role in App State's running game, Reed's blocking helped the Mountaineers lead the Sun Belt in rushing yards per game.
The 2018 Mackey Award recipient will be announced Dec. 5 and then presented live on Dec. 6 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU. The award is named after a Super Bowl-winning tight end who is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2018 John Mackey Award Watch List
Chase Allen, Iowa State, So.
Kemari Averett, Louisville,, So.
John Bates, Boise St, So.
Andrew Beck, Texas, Sr.
Nate Becker, Miami (Ohio), Jr.
Jacob Breeland, Oregon, Jr.
Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic, Jr.
Matt Bushman, BYU, So..
Cameron Butler, Colorado St, So.
Grant Calcaterra, Oklahoma, So.
CJ Conrad, Kentucky, Sr.
Kevin "KC" Crosby, South Carolina, Sr.
Micky Crum, Louisville, Sr.
Mik'Quan Deane, Western Kentucky, Sr.
Louis Dorsey, Illinois, So.
Noah Fant, Iowa, Jr.
Luke Farrell, Ohio St, So.
Zach Gentry, Michigan, Jr.
Nolan Givan, Ball State, So.
Daniel Helm, Duke, Sr.
Hale Hentges, Alabama, Sr.
Cole Herdman, Purdue, Sr.
TJ Hockenson, Iowa, So.
Jonathan Holland, Penn St., Jr.
Ray Hudson, California, Sr.
Charles Jones, Tulane, Sr.
Camrin Knight, Georgia State, Jr.
Dawson Knox, Ole Miss, Jr.
Tyler Mabry, Buffalo, Jr.
Alize Mack, Notre Dame, Jr.
Joey Magnifico, Memphis, Jr.
Sean McKeon, Michigan, Jr.
Foster Moreau, LSU, Sr.
Isaac Nauta. Georgia, Jr.
Zander Neuville, Wisconsin, Sr.
Albert Okwuegbuna, Missouri, So.
Josh Oliver, San Jose State, Sr.
Josh Pederson, ULM, So.
Kyle Penniston, Wisconsin, Jr.
Tyler Petite, USC, Sr.
Ravien Pierce, Syracuse, Sr.
Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt, Jr.
Dax Raymond, Utah St, Jr.
Collin Reed, Appalachian State, Jr.
Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan, Jr.
Jared Rice, Fresno St, Jr.
Milan Richard, Clemson, Sr.
Ellis Richardson, Georgia, Southern, Sr.
Chase Rogers, Louisiana, So.
Drew Sample, Washington, Sr.
Mavin Saunders, Kansas, Sr.
Logan Scott, UAB, Sr.
Kaden Smith, Stanford, So.
Kelvin Smith, North Texas, Jr.
Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M, Jr.
Jack Stoll, Nebraska, So.
Tommy Sweeney, Boston College, Jr.
Carl Tucker, North Carolina, Jr.
Kahale Warring, San Diego St, Jr.
Jerome Washington, Rutgers, Sr.
Mitchell Wilcox, USF, Jr.
Caleb Wilson, UCLA, Jr.
Bryce Wolma, Arizona, So.
Kenny Yeboah, Temple, So.
