Texas Tight End Ja’Tavion Sanders named Mackey Award Semifinalist for the second consecutive season

University of Texas junior tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has been named a John Mackey Award Semifinalist for the second straight year, The Friends of John Mackey announced on Wednesday. The Mackey Award recognizes college football’s most outstanding tight end and is named after NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey.

Through nine games, Sanders has reeled in 22 passes for 378 yards and a touchdown and surpassed the century mark in receiving yards in games against Alabama (100 yds.) and Baylor (110 yds.)

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Sanders sits at third all-time amongst Texas tight ends in career receptions (76), seventh in touchdowns (6) and fifth in receiving yards (991).

2023 John Mackey Award Semifinalists

AJ Barner, Michigan
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Dallin Holker, Colorado State
Theo Johnson, Penn State
Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Cade Stover, Ohio State
Jack Velling, Oregon State

The Mackey Award winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN (December 7, 2023).