TCU Football: Wiley Named To 2023 Mackey Award Watch List

Another day. Another TCU football player was named to an end-of-the-season award watch list. On Friday, tight end Jared Wiley was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List. This award is presented annually to the best tight end in college football.

The award is named after John Mackey. As a player, Mackey revolutionized the tight-end position when he entered the NFL with the Baltimore Colts in 1963. Regarded as one of the all-time greats to have ever played the tight end position, Mackey played in the NFL for ten years and was elected to the Pro Bowl five times. John "Mack Truck" Mackey was known for his tremendous speed and power during his playing days.

Last year’s award went to Brock Bowers of the Georgia Bulldogs. Other Big 12 players on the watch list are Mason Fairchild (Kansas), Isaac Rex (BYU), Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas), Ben Sinnott (Kansas State), and Austin Stogner (Oklahoma),

A total of 48 players were named to this year’s preseason watch list. For the complete watch list, click here.

Wiley was All-Big 12 last season in his first year as a Horned Frog. He placed fifth on TCU with a personal-best 24 receptions, surpassing his career total (19) entering the season after three years at Texas.

Wiley tied for fourth on the team with four touchdown catches, including a 10-yard reception from Max Duggan with 1:57 to play to tie the Oklahoma State game at 30-30 as TCU rallied from a 17-point deficit for a 43-40 double-overtime win. He also caught the game-tying 2-point pass from Duggan with 1:51 remaining to cap TCU's 11-point fourth-quarter comeback in the Big 12 Championship Game against Kansas State. He totaled a career-high five receptions for 74 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown, in the 38-28 regular-season win over K-State.