Ben Johnson Named to John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The John Mackey Award Selection Committee announced Wednesday that Kansas junior tight end Ben Johnson was named to the 2016 John Mackey Award preseason watch list.
 
Awarded annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2016 Mackey Award recipient will be announced on December 7, 2016 and then presented live on December 8, 2016 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.
 
NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position.  A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
 
A native of Basehor, Kansas, Johnson was one of two tight ends hailing from the Big 12 Conference, and one of the 45 total nominees, selected for the committee’s preliminary watch list. Johnson is one of eight returning starters for the KU offense in 2016.  
 
Johnson earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors by the league coaches as a sophomore in 2015. He played in all 12 games, starting nine contests, while hauling in 13 passes for 115 yards. Johnson follows in the footsteps of former KU tight end, Jimmay Mundine, who was a semi-finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2014.
 
The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, recognizes fourteen alumni that have played in the NFL: two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham (’01), 2006 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Clark (’02), Kellen Winslow II (’03), two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller (’04), Marcedes Lewis (’05) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, 2008 Super Bowl Champion Matt Spaeth (’06) of the of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Fred Davis (’07), Chase Coffman (’08), D.J. Williams (’10),  Dwayne Allen (’11) of the Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Eifert (’12)  of the Cincinnati Bengals, Austin Seferian-Jenkins (’13) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Nick O’Leary (’14) of the Buffalo Bills and 2015 John Mackey Award recipient Hunter Henry of the San Diego Chargers.
 
Johnson and Kansas are set to begin the 2016 season on Sept. 3, as they play host to Rhode Island. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., from Memorial Stadium with a live broadcast on the Jayhawk TV Network and ESPN3.
 
Season tickets for the six-game home schedule are now on sale for as low as $115. The Family Season Ticket Plan, which includes two youth and two adult general admission tickets, is $400.
 
Kansas Athletics is offering a new Pick 2 Flex Pack ticket package for Jayhawk football games for the 2016 season. As part of the Pick 2 Flex Pack ticket option, fans can choose any two of KU’s six home games, with Pick 2 Flex Pack plans ranging in price from $105-$120.
 
For additional information regarding Kansas football tickets contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or in-person at the Allen Fieldhouse ticket office. Tickets can also be purchased via KUTickets.com.
 
Kansas Athletics will also be offering group discounts and unique fan experiences to Kansas football games for any group, business or organization of 15+. To inquire about bringing your group to Memorial Stadium, please contact the Group Sales Department at 785-864-6216 or tshaker@kuathletics.com.
 
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