Ohio State tight end makes John Mackey 2026 preseason watch list

The John Mackey Award, established in 2000, honors college football's premier tight end annually. Amidst numerous preseason college football award watch lists, Ohio State's tight end landed on one. While Ohio State has never produced a Mackey Award winner, this year's Northwestern transfer, Hunter Welcing, might be a standout. Welcing, an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention last season, enters his Redshirt Senior year after transferring to Ohio State.

Last year, he amassed 28 catches for 296 yards (10.6 average) and two touchdowns, leading the tight end position at Northwestern. Nate Roberts is expected to be the starting tight end for OSU, but Welcing's experience might be valuable, especially with the departure of Max Klare and Will Kacmarek, both now in the NFL. Should Roberts secure the starting position and gain more playing time, he could also make the watch list later in the season.

For now, Welcing's value in the team's rotation is evident with his size, experience, and talent. The John Mackey Award Watch List announcement is scheduled for December 11 during ESPN's Home Depot College Football Awards Show.