Welcing Named to Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
8/5/2026 1:15:00 PM | Football
Redshirt senior Hunter Welcing is one of nine Big Ten players named to the Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State tight end Hunter Welcing was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Watch List announced by the organization Wednesday afternoon.
The Mackey Award recognizes the best tight end in college football each year and the athletes who work to showcase their leadership on and off the field.
Prior to joining the Buckeyes for the 2026 season, Welcing attended Northwestern University, where he played in 37 games and started in 10 for the Wildcats’ 2025 season. Last season, Welcing became Northwestern’s top pass catcher for his position, totaling 296 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions.
Welcing’s last season with the Wildcats earned him All-Big Ten Honorable mention for his performance on the field. He tallied the most receiving yards by a tight end in the Braun era and has the most since Garrett Dickerson had 401 in 2017.
Mackey Award Process
The Mackey award was created in 2000 and tirelessly works with the John Mackey Foundation to advocate for enhanced athlete protections, medical research and the fundamental rights of athletes in the sport of football.
As the season continues, athletes will continue to be evaluated and have the potential to be awarded a Tight End of the Week honor by the committee to be considered for the award at the end of the year. The list will be narrowed down to a group of semifinalists and finalists before the winner is announced on Dec. 10, 2026, at The Home Depot College Football Awards broadcast on ESPN.
Ohio State Preseason Honors
- Phil Steele:
- Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
- Athlon Sports:
- Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
- Walter Camp:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld were placed on the first team while redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin was listed as a preseason second team selection by the organization.
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List:
- AFCA Good Works Nominees:
- Jaylen McClain
- Head coach Ryan Day
- Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000
- Ohio State football had 19 players selected to the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000. The list includes a representative from almost every position room at Ohio State including five defensive lineman, four offensive linemen, three safeties and three wide receivers.
- Big Ten Preseason Honors List:
- Maxwell Preseason Watch List:
- Mannelly Preseason Watch List:
- Outland Trophy Watch List:
- Nagurski Watch List:
