Tide’s Howard named to John Mackey Award list

Alabama tight end O.J. Howard continued to gain national recognition Wednesday when he was named to the John Mackey Award watch list.

Howard is one of 45 players named to the list for the award presented to the nation’s top tight end. The honor comes a day after he was including in the watch list for the Maxwell Award, the nation’s best college player.

Last season, Howard tallied 38 receptions for 602 yards and two touchdowns, while averaging up a team-high 15.8 yards per catch.

He was the hero in Alabama’s 45-40 win against Clemson in the national championship game, where caught five passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns en route to earning Offensive MVP. During the game, each of his five catches were for first downs and went for 15 or more yards. His total receiving yards against the Tigers were an Alabama bowl record by any receiver.

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Tide’s Howard named to John Mackey Award list."