John Mackey Award Watch List contains 4 Carolinians
The Mackey Award Watch List went out yesterday. The John Mackey Award is given out to the nation’s best tight end. The tight end position has been growing in importance throughout football, and the day of the open spread offense has only added to the position.
Now tight ends come in all shapes and sizes. Some are still anchored to the offensive line as extra blockers. Others are small versions of Jimmy Graham, big slot receivers that might block a little from time to time.
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Here are the Mackey Award Watch List’s North Carolina members.
Braxton Deaver – Duke – Senior
Deaver had 600 receiving yards two years ago. He suffered an injury last year, when he was also expected to have a big season. This year he will be a safety blanket for new starter Thomas Sirk. Sirk comes into the job without the benefit of Jamison Crowder, and this will have him looking for Deaver.
David Grinnage – NC State – Junior
Grinnage is a big target at 274 pounds. He also played a role as a red zone threat for Jacoby Brissett and the Pack offense. He had five touchdowns last year. His size makes him a blocker for a State running game that made huge strides last year.
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Cam Serigne – Wake Forest – Sophomore
If Grinnage is a brick, then Serigne is at the other side of the tight end spectrum. Grinnage was a member of an offense that proved to have a number of weapons. Serigne was part of the Wake Forest offense that had no real weapons. If there was one receiver that freshman quarterback John Wolford could go to, it was fellow freshman Serigne. He had 531 receiving yards and five touchdowns last year.
Bryce Williams – East Carolina – Senior
East Carolina will be starting a new quarterback. It will be without its best receiver Justin Hardy, who graduated and was drafted. They have a new offensive coordinator. In such an environment it makes sense to throw the ball to the 6’6” 245 pound guy. The ECU Air Raid offense throws the ball a lot anyway and the tight end should get his share. He had four touchdowns on limited receptions last year.