San Diego State University Football has another athlete added to an awards list, tight end Gavin Escobar. Gavin Escobar was named to the 2012 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. The John Mackey Award Watch List consists of the best tight ends in college football (FBS). The watch list includes the top 33 tight ends in the (FBS).

The following three paragraphs are from paragraphs are from johnmackeyaward.org. This gives us some insite into the award and how it came to be.

The John Mackey Award, established in 2001, is awarded annually to the most outstanding tight end in FBS college football. In addition to demonstrating outstanding athletic prowess on the field, the award also stands for positive sportsmanship-like behavior, good academic standing & exceptional leadership abilities.

The award recipient is determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee, which is composed of respected members of the media and former NFL players. The award is named after Roosevelt native and NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey. Mackey was often regarded as one of the all-time greats to ever have played the tight end position.

He played in the National Football League for 10 years, was elected to the Pro Bowl five times, was a three-time All-NFL Player, was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team and to the league’s 50th Anniversary squad. He also played in two NFL Championship games and two Super Bowls, including the victorious Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V where he caught a pivotal 75 yd TD from Johnny Unitas.

2012 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.

#1) Bowling Green Jr. Alex Bayer
#2) Indiana Jr. Ted Bolser
#3) LSU Sr. Chase Clement
#4) W. Kentucky Sr. Jack Doyle
#5) Notre Dame Sr. Tyler Eifert
#6) SDSU Jr. Gavin Escobar
#7) UCLA Sr. Joseph Fauria
#8) Iowa Jr. C.J. Fiedorowicz
#9) Clemson Sr. Brandon Ford
#10) Maryland Sr. Matt Furstenburg
#11) Colorado State Jr. Crockett Gillmore
#12) Arkansas Sr. Chris Gragg
#13) Pittsburg Sr. Hubie Graham
#14) Connecticut Sr. Ryan Griffin
#15) Texas State Sr. Chase Harper
#16) Eastern Michigan Sr. Garrett Hoskins
#17) Mississippi State Soph. Malcolm Johnson
#18) Auburn Sr. Philip Lutzenkirchen  
#19) Baylor Jr. Jordan Najvar 
#20) San Jose State Sr. Ryan Otten
#21) Boston College Sr. Chris Pantale
#22) Wisconsin Jr. Jacob Pedersen 
#23) Kansas Sr. Mike Ragone
#24) Nebraska Sr. Kyler Reed
#25) New Mexico Sr. Lucas Reed
#26) Florida Jr. Jordan Reed
#27) Tennessee Sr. Mychal Rivera 
#28) Washington Soph. Austin Seferian-Jenkins
#29) Michigan State Jr. Dion Simes
#30) Ohio State Sr. Jake Stoneburner 
#31) Stanford Jr. Levine Toilolo
#32) Alabama Sr. Michael Williams
#33) Rice Sr. Luke Willson 

(The numbers on the list are not the actual rankings of the players listed. The names, grades, and universities were gathered from johnmackeyaward.org)

2012 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List – Schedule.

Preseason Watch List released – Wednesday, July 10, 2012

Midseason – Monday, October 17, 2012

Eight Semi-Finalists – Monday, Nov. 12, 2012

Three Finalists – Monday, Nov. 19, 2012

Winner – Dec. 6, 2012

(This schedule was compiled by johnmackeyaward.org) 

Previous John Mackey Award Winners

Dwayne Allen, (Colts), Orson Charles, (Bengals), D.J. Williams, (Packers), Lance Kendricks, (Rams), Michael Egnew, (Dolphins), Aaron Hernandez, (Patriots), Dorin Dickerson, (Bills), Dennis Pitta, (Ravens), Chase Coffman, (Buccaneers), Brandon Pettigrew, (Lions), Fred Davis, (Redskins), Travis Beckum, (Giants), Martin Rucker, (Chiefs), Matt Spaeth, (Bears), John Carlson, (Vikings), Zach Miller, (Seahawks), Marcedes Lewis, (Jaguars), Vernon Davis, (49ers), Anthony Fasano, (Dolphins), Heath Miller, (Steelers), Alex Smith, (Browns), Kellen Winslow,  (Seahawks), Dallas Clark, (Buccaneers), Alge Crumpler, (Patriots) and Todd Heap, (Cardinals).

(This list was compiled by johnmackeyaward.org)