Texas Tech University Athletics
Carter named to Mackey Award watch list
August 05, 2026 | Football
Carter, an All-Big 12 Second Team selection a year ago, emerged as one of the nation's top pass-catching tight ends in 2025 thanks to his versatility lining up both in the slot and in a traditional tight end role. He caught 55 passes for 624 yards and five touchdowns last season, finishing second on the team for receptions and fourth for both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Carter returns as the nation's leading returning tight end in receiving yards from a year ago, and was tabbed to the All-Big 12 preseason team prior to this year's Big 12 Football Media Days event in July. He also enters his senior season as Pro Football Focus' highest-graded returning tight end.
Carter is one of 43 players named to this year's Mackey Award Watch List as the award enters its 26th season recognizing the nation's top collegiate tight end.
Jace Amaro was the last Red Raider recognized as a Mackey Award semifinalist, earning the distinction in 2013 despite not appearing on the preseason watch list. Amaro became the first player in program history to reach the semifinal round.
ABOUT THE MACKEY AWARD
The Mackey Award is presented to the nation's most outstanding tight end by the Friends of John Mackey. During his playing days, John "Mack Truck" Mackey was known for his tremendous speed and power. As a player, Mackey revolutionized the tight-end position when he entered the NFL with the Baltimore Colts in 1963. He was a three-time All-NFL Player and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team and to the league's 50th Anniversary Squad. Mackey was just the second true tight end to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It's one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
- Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
- Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
- Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
- Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
- Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
- Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
- Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
- Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
- Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
- Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
