Rory Anderson Named to Mackey Award Watch List

July 8, 2014

University of South Carolina senior tight end Rory “Busta” Anderson has been named to the 2014 John Mackey Award preseason watch list, it was announced today. The annual award is presented to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.

Anderson, a 6-5, 227-pounder from Powder Springs, Ga., has played in 38 games over the past three seasons, making 13 starts. He has caught 39 passes for 694 yards, an average of 17.8 yards per catch, with eight touchdowns.

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.

The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, lists 13 alumni to 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) of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 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), Aaron Hernandez (`09), D.J. Williams (`10) of the New England Patriots, Dwayne Allen (’11) of the Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Eifert (’12) of the Cincinnati Bengals and Austin Seferian-Jenkins (’13) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 2014 John Mackey recipient will be announced on December 10, 2014 and then presented live on December 11, 2014 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU. Other key dates include the announcement of the 2014 Mackey Midseason Watch List on October 13, 2014, the 2014 Mackey Semi-finalists on November 17, 2014 and the 2014 Mackey Finalists on November 24, 2014.