Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki lands on Mackey Award watch list

Add another Nittany Lion to the watch list flurry.

As expected, Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki was named to the Mackey Award watch list on Tuesday morning. The Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.

Gesicki’s candidacy comes a day after Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley were named to the Maxwell Award watch list, while Jason Cabinda and Marcus Allen landed on the Bednarik Award watch list.

This is the second consecutive season Gesicki landed on the watch list — and with good reason.

Gesicki broke out as a junior in 2016, setting Penn State single-season records for receptions (48) and yardage (679) by a tight end. He was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media.

Gesicki — one of 55 players on the watch list — is joined by Adam Breneman, a former Nittany Lion and current UMass standout. Breneman had 70 catches for 808 yards last season.

Watch list season rolls on Wednesday as the Lou Groza Award and Ray Guy Award candidates are released for best kicker and punter in the country, respectively. Expect Penn State’s Tyler Davis and Blake Gillikin to be recognized.

This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki lands on Mackey Award watch list."