University of Memphis Athletics

Photo by: Matthew Smith
Magnifico Named to John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
Jul 20, 2018 | Football
Kyser Remains on Updated Rimington Watch List
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Junior tight end Joey Magnifico was named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Friday. The Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end in December as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Senior Drew Kyser is also on the updated Rimington Trophy Watch list, awarded to the top center in college football. That updated list was also released Friday morning.
Magnifico has appeared in 26 games at Memphis over two seasons with 11 starts. He has 30 career receptions for 365 yards and five touchdowns and has had seven games with two or more receptions.
In 2017, Magnifico appeared in all 13 games, with eight starts, earning second team all-conference honors. He led all Tigers' tight ends with 21 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns and played a key role in blocking for Darrell Henderson, the fifth 1,000-yard rusher in program history. Magnifico logged career-highs with six receptions and 83 receiving yards in a home win over nationally-ranked UCLA in the second game of the season in 2017. His 2-yard reception from Riley Ferguson was the Tigers' first score of the game.
For the year, Magnifico helped a Tiger offense that sported a 4,000-yard passer (Ferguson), a 1,000-yard rusher (Henderson) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Anthony Miller). Memphis' 6,917 combined yards of offense was a school record and the Tigers finished second in FBS in scoring (45.5 ppg) and fourth in total offense (532.1 ypg).
Magnifico is one of four American Athletic Conference players on the 2018 preseason list, joined on the list by Charles Jones (Tulane), Mitchell Wilcox (USF) and Kenny Yeboah (Temple).
Magnifico has appeared in 26 games at Memphis over two seasons with 11 starts. He has 30 career receptions for 365 yards and five touchdowns and has had seven games with two or more receptions.
In 2017, Magnifico appeared in all 13 games, with eight starts, earning second team all-conference honors. He led all Tigers' tight ends with 21 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns and played a key role in blocking for Darrell Henderson, the fifth 1,000-yard rusher in program history. Magnifico logged career-highs with six receptions and 83 receiving yards in a home win over nationally-ranked UCLA in the second game of the season in 2017. His 2-yard reception from Riley Ferguson was the Tigers' first score of the game.
For the year, Magnifico helped a Tiger offense that sported a 4,000-yard passer (Ferguson), a 1,000-yard rusher (Henderson) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Anthony Miller). Memphis' 6,917 combined yards of offense was a school record and the Tigers finished second in FBS in scoring (45.5 ppg) and fourth in total offense (532.1 ypg).
Magnifico is one of four American Athletic Conference players on the 2018 preseason list, joined on the list by Charles Jones (Tulane), Mitchell Wilcox (USF) and Kenny Yeboah (Temple).
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