Kansas Tight End Biere Named to John Mackey Award Watch List

July 6, 2011

BETHPAGE, N.Y. –

Kansas senior tight end Tim Biere has been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List. The list, which is comprised of the 34 top returning tight ends at the Division I Bowl Subdivision level, was released to the media Wednesday by the selection committee.

This marks the second-straight season that Biere has been named to the Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.

A 6-foot-4 senior from Omaha, Neb., Biere started 11 of 12 games last season. He caught 19 passes for 228 yards and led the Jayhawks with four touchdown receptions. The Kansas tight end caught at least one pass in 11 of KU’s 12 games and recorded touchdowns against No. 15 Georgia Tech, New Mexico State, Texas A&M and No. 12 Oklahoma State. Biere earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors for the second-straight season in 2010.

Biere is one of just two Big 12 tight ends on the preseason watch list, along with Missouri senior Michael Egnew.

The Watch List will be cut down eight semi-finalists on Nov. 14 and three finalists by Nov. 21 with the winner being named at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on Dec. 8. The award recipient is determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee, which is comprised of respected members of the media and former NFL players.

Biere and the Jayhawks will open the 2011 season Sept. 3 when they host McNeese State at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m.