Five MAC Tight Ends Named to 2017 John Mackey Award Watch List
FIVE MAC STUDENTS NAMED TO JOHN MACKEY AWARD WATCH LIST
2017 JOHN MACKEY AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST RELEASED
New York, N.Y. (July 11, 2017) – The Friends of John Mackey have released the 2017 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. This year's award includes five MAC students -- Tyler Conklin (Central Michigan), Donnie Ernsberger (Western Michigan), Troy Mangen (Ohio), Ryan Smith (Miami) and Shane Wimann (Northern Illinois).
Conklin, 6-4 and 240 lbs., is a native of Chesterfield, Mich., and made 42 catches for 560 yards and six touchdowns in 2016. He was named 2016 All-MAC Second Team and ranked second on the Chippewa roster in TD receptions and third in both receptions and receiving yardage.??
Ernsberger, 6-3 and 255 lbs., is a native of Battle Creek, Mich., and was named 2016 All-MAC Third Team after being one of the best blockers for a team that finished 24th in the country in rushing with 228.9 yards per game. He was also a threat in the passing game, with over 80 yards in his last four games, including a touchdown in the home regular season finale against Toledo.
Mangen, 6-5 and 255 lbs., is a native of Union, Ohio, and played in all 14 games last season for the Bobcats with 15 catches for 142 yards (9.5 avg.) and one touchdown.
Smith, 6-4 and 265 lbs., is a native of River Forest, Ill., and recorded career-highs in catches (31), yards (356) and touchdowns (5) last season. He started all 13 games for a RedHawk squad that finished as MAC East Division co-Champions. Smith caught seven passes for 72 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s first bowl contest since 2010 in the 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl vs. Mississippi State.
Wimann , 6-4 and 248 lbs., is a native of Wisconsin Dells, Wisc., and started in all 12 games last season with 24 receptions for 254 yards (10.6 avg.) and six touchdowns.
The award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2017 Mackey Award recipient will be announced on December 6, 2017 and then presented live on December 7, 2017 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU. All future announcements can be found at www.johnmackeyaward.com.
NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, recognizes fourteen alumni that have played in the NFL: two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham (‘01), 2006 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Clark (‘02), Kellen Winslow II (‘03), two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller (‘04), Marcedes Lewis (‘05) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 2008 Super Bowl Champion Matt Spaeth (‘06), Fred Davis (‘07), Chase Coffman (‘08), D.J. Williams (‘10), Dwayne Allen (’11) of the New England Patriots, Tyler Eifert (’12) of the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin Seferian-Jenkins (’13) of the New York Jets, Nick O’Leary (’14) of the Buffalo Bills, Hunter Henry of the Los Angeles Chargers and 2016 John Mackey Award recipient Jake Butt of the Denver Broncos.
