One of the top tight ends in Conference USA for the 2016 season landed on a watch list for the top tight end in the nation.
Plinke played in 11 games last season, and was named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List in 2015 in the middle of a break out year.
He was second on the team with 37 receptions, and 405 receiving yards, and had three games in where he went over 80 yards receiving in his first year as a Miner in 2015.
C-USA had four tight ends recognized on the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award.