Underdog Watch Lists: Mackay Award and Rimington Trophy

As the national award watch lists are announced throughout July, we’ll let you know which Group of 5 players are preseason candidates for them. The watch lists will come out each weekday from July 10 until July 21.

Next up are the John Mackay Award and the Rimington Trophy. The Mackay Award recognizes the nation’s best tight end, while the Rimington Trophy honors the best center.

John Mackay Award Watch List

Jordan Akins, UCF Knights

Julian Allen, Southern Miss Golden Eagles

Alec Bloom, Connecticut Huskies

Adam Breneman, Massachusetts Minutemen

Tyler Conklin, Central Michigan Chippewas

Donnie Ernsberger, Western Michigan Broncos

Maaseiah Francis, South Alabama Jaguars

Charles Jones, Tulane Green Wave

Blake Mack, Arkansas State Red Wolves

Troy Mangen, Ohio Bobcats

Dax Raymond, Utah State Aggies

Jake Roh, Boise State Broncos

Gabe Schrade, Texas State Bobcats

Ryan Smith, Miami RedHawks

Metuisela Unga, Hawaii Warriors

Melvin Vaughn, Old Dominion Monarchs

David Wells, San Diego State Aztecs

Ari Werts, Georgia State Panthers

Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida Bulls

Shaq Williams, UTSA Roadrunners

Shane Wilmann, Northern Illinois Huskies

Ryan Yurachek, Marshall Thundering Herd

Rimington Trophy Watch List

Aaron Brewer, Texas State Bobcats

Aaron Mitchell, Fresno State Bulldogs

Antonyo Woods, Florida Atlantic

Asoutui Eli, Hawaii Warriors

Austin Doan, Central Michigan Chippewas

Blaise Fountain, New Mexico Lobos

Bryce Holland, Army Black Knights

Cameron Ruff, South Florida Bulls

Chandler Miller, Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Dakota Tallman, Eastern Michigan Eagles

Danny Godlevske, Miami RedHawks

Dennis Edwards, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Deontai Crumitie, Troy Trojans

Drew Kyser, Memphis Tigers

Evan Brown, SMU Mustangs

Gabe Mobley, Georgia State Panthers

Garrett McGhin, East Carolina Pirates

Jake Bennett, Colorado State Rams

Jake Pruehs, Ohio Bobcats

James O’Hagan, Buffalo Bulls

John Keenoy, Western Michigan Broncos

Keoni Taylor, San Jose State Spartans

LaVonne Gauthney, Akron Zips

Levi Brown, Marshall Thundering Herd

Lukey Shively, Northern Illinois Huskies

Mason Hampton, Boise State Broncos

Matt Hennessy, Temple Owls

Nathan Puthoff, Kent State Golden Flashes

Nick Clarke, Old Dominion Monarchs

Sean Krepsz, Nevada Wolf Pack

Tim McAullife, Bowling Green Falcons

Trey Martin, Rice Owls

Will Noble, Houston Cougars

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Selections by conference

AAC: 11

C-USA: Nine

SBC: Seven

Independent: Two

For the American, USF leads the way with two selections. UCF, UConn, ECU, Houston, Memphis, SMU, Temple, Tulane, and Tulsa each have one.

In C-USA, Marshall and Old Dominion each have two, while Florida Atlantic, Rice, Southern Miss, UTSA and WKU each have one.

The Sun Belt saw Georgia State and Texas State get two selections, with Arkansas State, South Alabama, and Troy getting one each.

Finally, independents Army and UMass each got one selection.

Total Watch List Selections Thus Far

AAC: 20

C-USA: 14

SBC: 11

Independent: Two