Michigan redshirt sophomore tight end Tyrone Wheatley was among 55 players named to the John Mackey Award watch list on Tuesday, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding player at the position.
Though he has just three receptions for 35 yards and one touchdown in his career, Wheatley is expected to compete with redshirt junior Ian Bunting to be Michigan’s top tight end in 2017.
Six other Big Ten players were also named to the 2017 watch list, including Ohio State fifth-year senior Marcus Baugh, Wisconsin fifth-year senior Troy Fumagalli and redshirt sophomore Kyle Penniston, Penn State senior Mike Gesicki, and Minnesota fifth-year senior Nate Wozniak and senior Brandon Lingen.
The Wolverines’ Jake Butt was the recipient of last year's award, after hauling in 46 catches for 546 yards and four touchdowns.
Several other Michigan players have been named to award watch lists in recent days as well. Sophomore defensive end Rashan Gary and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Maurice Hurst were named to the Bednarik Award watch list on Monday for the country’s top defensive player, while redshirt junior quarterback Wilton Speight landed on the Maxwell Award watch list yesterday given to the nation’s top quarterback.
The winner of the 2017 John Mackey Award will be announced on Dec. 6.
All 55 players named to the watch list can be seen here.
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