Saunders named to John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
NEW YORK – Kansas football tight end Mavin Saunders was named to the 2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, announced by The Friends of John Mackey on Friday.
A native of Bimini, Bahamas, Saunders joins the Jayhawks for the 2018 as a transfer from Florida State. While with the Seminoles from 2014-17, Saunders redshirted the 2014 season before playing in 30 games and making 10 starts the next three seasons. He recorded a career-high 182 yards on 10 catches in 2016, including a season-best 74-yard outing on three catches against No. 23 North Carolina.
The John Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The award will be presented live on December 6, 2018 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.
The award’s namesake, NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey, is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
Saunders and the Jayhawks will begin the 2018 season on September 1 vs. Nicholls State. Kansas great Chris Harris Jr. will enter the Ring of Honor during KU’s opener versus NSU, and the 2008 Insight Bowl team will also be celebrated.
The Jayhawks will also host nonconference opponent Rutgers (Sept. 15/Family Weekend, Childhood Cancer Awareness) as Todd Reesing, who owns 14 school records and is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history, will have his name etched next to other Jayhawk legends in the Ring of Honor.
Big 12 rivals Oklahoma State (Sept. 29/Homecoming, K-Club Weekend), TCU (Oct. 27/Jayhawks for a Cure), Iowa State (Nov. 3/Salute to Service) and Texas (Nov. 23/Senior Day) will each visit Lawrence during the 2018 campaign.
For ticket information contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or visit KUTickets.com.
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