KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee tight end Jacob Warren was named to the 2022 John Mackey Award preseason watch list, as announced by the Friends of John Mackey on Friday.
The Mackey Award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding tight end. Warren, a redshirt senior, is on the preseason watch list for the first time in his career.
The Knoxville native and product of Farragut High School is coming off the best season of his collegiate career, tallying a career-best 18 catches for 179 yards and three touchdowns in 2021, appearing in all 13 games while making six starts.
Warren is a member of the team’s leadership council and is a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection, as well. He is expected to have an even bigger role in Tennessee’s high-powered offense this season in year two under head coach Josh Heupel.
The John Mackey Award distinctively celebrates excellence without prejudice or discrimination. Dedicated to the life of John Mackey himself, the award seeks to keep on driving true passion, dedication and at the same time raise health awareness for the Game of football in schools, especially in colleges and among the youth generally.
Mackey was one of the great leaders in NFL history, on and off the field. He was a Hall of Fame player who redefined his position. Mackey was a courageous advocate for his fellow NFL players as head of the NFL Players Association. The legacy he leaves behind was also pushed forward by his wife, whose three-page letter to then-commissioner Paul Tagliabue in 2006 led to the “88 Plan” (88 was John Mackey’s uniform number) and that created significant financial assistance for former players battling dementia.
The full Mackey Award preseason watch list can be seen HERE.
-UT Athletics
