Mike Gesicki Named to John Mackey Award Watch List

In news that will not come as a surprise to any Penn State Football fan, senior tight end Mike Gesicki has been named to the preseason John Mackey Award watch list. The award is given annually to the nation’s top tight end.

Following a disappointing sophomore season in 2015, Gesicki developed into one of the nation’s premiere tight ends in 2016 thanks to his big-play ability and circus catches that regularly filled the highlight reels. Gesicki had the best single season for a tight end in program history, finishing with 48 receptions for 679 yards (both school records), while finding the end zone on five occasions. He was named as second-team All-Big Ten, finishing behind Michigan’s Jake Butt, who was the recipient of the Mackey award in 2016. There’s no doubt that Gesicki will be chasing Butt in 2017.

This announcement follows Monday’s news where Saquon Barkley and Trace McSorley were included on the watch list for the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s best player, while Jason Cabinda and Marcus Allen received the nod for the Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player.

Congratulations, Mike!