Allen Named To Mackey Award Watch List

Nebraska junior tight end Austin Allen was named to the 2021 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List on Friday.

The Mackey Award, named after NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey, is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end.

Allen, a four-time member of both the Brook Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship Team, played in all eight games with a career-high seven starts in 2020. He also set career highs with 18 receptions and 236 receiving yards, which ranks second on the team in both categories. After having at least 25 receiving yards in the first six games of the season, the longest streak by a Husker tight end in more than a decade, Allen caught an eight-yard touchdown pass against Minnesota, his first career touchdown.

The 6-9, 255-pound Allen has been a constant for the Husker offense, playing in every game as a sophomore and redshirt freshman. In 2019, Allen caught seven passes for 83 yards and had his longest reception of the season with a 30-yard catch at Maryland.

The winner of the 2021 Mackey Award will be announced December 2021, with the award presented at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show.