Florida’s DeAndre Goolsby named to John Mackey Award watch list

Florida junior tight end and Derby native DeAndre Goolsby was named to the John Mackey Award watch list on Wednesday. The Mackey Award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate tight end.

Goolsby, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, had 17 catches for 277 yards and one touchdown in 2015 — a 94-yard touchdown against East Carolina. Goolsby spent last season playing behind sixth-year tight end Jake McGee and seems poised for a breakout year.

Goolsby led Derby to the 2013 Class 6A state championship and was a Top 11 selection that season. It was the Panthers’ first state championship since 1994. Florida went 10-4 last season on the way to the SEC Eastern Division title and lost to Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

Kansas tight end Ben Johnson, a Basehor Linwood product, was also named to the Mackey watch list.

Arkansas tight end Hunter Henry, a second-round selection by the San Diego Chargers, was last year’s Mackey Award winner. This year’s winner will be announced on Dec. 7.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Florida’s DeAndre Goolsby named to John Mackey Award watch list."