IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior tight end George Kittle has been named to the 2016 John Mackey Award Watch List. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Mackey Award Committee. The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football’s most outstanding tight end.
A native of Norman, Oklahoma, Kittle played in all 14 games last season, notching six starts. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end hauled in 20 receptions for 290 yards and led Iowa with six touchdown receptions in 2015, including the only touchdown of the game in Iowa’s 10-6 victory at Wisconsin. Kittle’s breakout season earned him honorable mention All-American status from SI.com.
Prior to last season, Kittle had tallied six receptions for a total of 133 yards — he redshirted as a freshman in 2012. The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree has appeared in 38 games during his Hawkeye career. Kittle was also named preseason fourth team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.
This year’s John Mackey Award recipient, selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee, will be announced on December 7 and be presented live on December 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.
Dallas Clark, who won the honor in 2002, is Iowa’s only Mackey Award winner. The award was first introduced in 2000.
Iowa opens the 2016 season at home on September 3, hosting Miami (Ohio) inside Kinnick Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the UI Athletic Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS and online at hawkeyesports.com.