South Alabama's Maaseiah Francis has been named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the top tight end in college football.
Francis caught 18 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns in 2016, his first season with the Jaguars. The junior from Lithonia, Ga., was the primary back-up to All-Sun Belt selection Gerald Everett, a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in April.
Francis transferred to South Alabama from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College last season. His best game came against Idaho, when he caught seven passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns while Everett was sidelined with a broken finger.