Ole Miss TE Evan Engram named to Mackey Award Watch List

The summer has been pretty nice to the Ole Miss Football program as its top players continue to receive national recognition. Tight end Evan Engram has joined in on the preseason celebration with fellow teammates Laquon Treadwell, Robert Nkemdiche, Tony Conner, Jaylen Walton and Laremy Tunsil.

Evan Engram had a career day against Mississippi State in the 2014 Egg Bowl. (Photo Credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)

On Wednesday, Engram, 6-foot-4, 230-pounds, was one of 33 collegiate football tight ends to be selected for the John Mackey Preseason Award Watch List. The John Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.

The recipient will be announced on Dec. 9, 2015, then presented live on Dec. 10, 2015 at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet show on ESPNU. Engram was a semifinalist for the Mackey Award last season.

This is not the first 2015 honor for the Powder Springs, Georgia native. Earlier this month, Engram received All-SEC First Team honors from the 14 football media relations directors of the Southeastern Conference institutions. Last month, he was named a second-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports.

At the conclusion of his sophomore season last year, Engram had 662 yards in receiving, which led all tight ends in the SEC. He was a second team All-America pick by Sports Illustrated as well as a unanimous selection to the All-SEC first team.

Though he has only completed two season thus far in the red and blue, Engram already ranks in the top four in Rebel history for receptions (59), receiving yards (930) and receiving touchdowns by a tight end (5).

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper currently has Engram rated as his No. 1 underclassman tight end for the 2016 NFL Draft.

(Feature image credit: Bentley Breland for The Rebel Walk)