PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Three American Athletic Conference football players have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2016 John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the top tight end in college football.
The Mackey Award lists USF’s Elkanah Dillon, Cincinnati’s D.J. Dowdy and Temple’s Colin Thompson among the 45 players to watch in 2016.
Dillon made his collegiate debut with four receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in USF’s season-opening win against Florida Atlantic last season. He went on to finish the season with nine receptions for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
Dowdy had 12 receptions for 104 yards and three TDs in 2015 and had at least one catch in nine of Cincinnati’s 13 games. He has played in all but two games in his first three seasons.
Thompson started 10 of Temple’s 14 games and established himself as the Owls’ top blocking tight end. He had five receptions for 67 yards on the season.
| Mackey Award Watch List (Top Tight End) |
| D.J. Dowdy |
TE |
Cincinnati |
| Elkanah Dillon |
TE |
USF |
| Colin Thompson |
TE |
Temple |