Best Tight Ends in College Football (John Mackey Award Watch List 2025)
Published on: September 1, 2024
Updated on: August 30, 2025
Category: Advice & Tips
The following post features the best tight ends in college football (John Mackey Award Watch List 2025).
Some college football teams have an NFL-level TE capable of separating from the defense and making big plays. These are the TEs you need to know about when betting on college football.
Read: Best Kickers in College Football
Related: Best Quarterbacks in College Football
The John Mackey Award Watch List features the top tight ends in the nation heading into the 2025 college football season.
So, who are the best TEs in 2025? Here’s what you need to know.
Overview
Penn State’s Tyler Warren won the 2024 John Mackey Award after posting 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and 8 TDs, along with 26 carries for 218 yards and 4 rushing TDs. He was selected over two other finalists: Harold Fannin Jr. of Bowling Green and Colston Loveland of Michigan.
How the Award Works
Throughout the season, the John Mackey Award Committee assesses the performance of tight ends on the preseason watchlist. At mid-season, the committee reduces the list to 10 semifinalists. From this group, the top three finalists are selected. The winner is then chosen from these three finalists by a panel of college football coaches, media members, and former John Mackey Award winners.
Click here for the official John Mackey Award Watch List.
John Mackey Award Watch List (2025)
In alphabetical order by last name, here is the 2025 John Mackey Award Watch List:
Player |
Team |
|---|---|
Tanner Arkin |
Illinois Fighting Illini |
Blake Bosma |
Western Michigan Broncos |
Gabe Burkle |
Iowa State Cyclones |
Keyan Burnett |
Arizona Wildcats |
Josh Cuevas |
Alabama Crimson Tide |
Decker DeGraaf |
Washington Huskies |
Oscar Delp |
Georgia Bulldogs |
Khalil Dinkins |
Penn State Nittany Lions |
Jack Endries |
Texas Longhorns |
Eli Finley |
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs |
Dorian Fleming |
Maryland Terrapins |
Kenny Fletcher |
Rutgers Scarlet Knights |
Jeremiah Franklin |
Boston College Eagles |
Jameson Geers |
Minnesota Golden Gophers |
Benji Gosnell |
Virginia Tech Hokies |
Hayden Hansen |
Florida Gators |
Luke Hasz |
Ole Miss Rebels |
River Helms |
Georgia Southern Eagles |
Matthew Hibner |
SMU Mustangs |
Justin Joly |
North Carolina State Wolf Pack |
Miles Kitselman |
Tennessee Volunteers |
Max Klare |
Ohio State Buckeyes |
Marlin Klein |
Michigan Wolverines |
Tanner Koziol |
Houston Cougars |
Matt Lauter |
Boise State Broncos |
Elija Lofton |
Miami Hurricanes |
Lawson Luckie |
Georgia Bulldogs |
RJ Maryland |
SMU Mustangs |
John Mackey Award Winners (2000 – Present)
Here are the winners from years past – notice lots of NFL names on this list.
Year |
Player |
Team |
|---|---|---|
2024 |
Tyler Warren |
Penn State Nittany Lions |
2023 |
Brock Bowers |
Georgia Bulldogs |
2022 |
Brock Bowers |
Georgia Bulldogs |
2021 |
Trey McBride |
Colorado State Rams |
2020 |
Kyle Pitts |
Florida Gators |
2019 |
Harrison Bryant |
Florida Atlantic Owls |
2018 |
T. J. Hockenson |
Iowa Hawkeyes |
2017 |
Mark Andrews |
Oklahoma Sooners |
2016 |
Jake Butt |
Michigan Wolverines |
2015 |
Hunter Henry |
Arkansas Razorbacks |
2014 |
Nick O’Leary |
Florida State Seminoles |
2013 |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins |
Washington Huskies |
2012 |
Tyler Eifert |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
2011 |
Dwayne Allen |
Clemson Tigers |
2010 |
D. J. Williams |
Arkansas Razorbacks |
2009 |
Aaron Hernandez |
Florida Gators |
2008 |
Chase Coffman |
Missouri Tigers |
2007 |
Fred Davis |
USC Trojans |
2006 |
Matt Spaeth |
Minnesota Golden Gophers |
2005 |
Marcedes Lewis |
UCLA Bruins |
2004 |
Heath Miller |
Virginia Cavaliers |
2003 |
Kellen Winslow II |
Miami Hurricanes |
2002 |
Dallas Clark |
Iowa Hawkeyes |
2001 |
Daniel Graham |
Colorado Buffaloes |
2000 |
Tim Stratton |
Purdue Boilermakers |
