Mitchell Henry Selected to John Mackey Preseason Watch List

WKU Hilltoppers tight end Mitchell Henry was named to the 2014 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List yesterday, which is given annually to college football’s most outstanding tight end.

Henry is projected to have a big year, after coming off a 2013 campaign in which he caught 25 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns, and with a full year of catching balls from Brandon Doughty under his belt, and with uncertainty in the “playmaker,” category on the offense with Antonio Andrews no longer on the squad. Henry is one of three Conference USA tight ends to be named to the list – along with UAB’s Kennard Backman (28 catches for 302 yards, two TD’s in 2013) and UTEP’s Eric Tomlinson (30 receptions for 304 yards and a single TD in 2013). A total of 38 names made the preseason watch list.

WKU is no stranger to this list, as this is the third time in four years that a Hilltopper tight end has had a preseason spotlight on them. Now Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle was named to the 2011 and 2012 renditions, and was one of eight finalists in 2012.

Remember me saying that Henry is projected to have a big year? We are still in single-digit days in July, and Henry has already been named to three preseason honors. He has also been named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All C-USA squad, as well as the same squad by Athlon Sports.

Since 2000, when the award was first presented, five of the John Mackey Award winners have gone on to win a Super Bowl title. And, no surprise here, but every winner has gone on to play in the NFL.