KALAMAZOO, Mich.- Western Michigan junior tight end Giovanni Ricci has been named to the 2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. The Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.
Ricci spent last year as a wide out for the Broncos and transitioned to tight end this past spring. Although he has not played a game at the position, expectations are high for Ricci this season. In addition to the Mackey Watch List mention, Ricci was tabbed preseason Second Team All-Mid-American Conference by Phil Steele in June.
As a sophomore in 2017, Ricci caught 12 passes for 100 yards before suffering a season-ending injury in Western Michigan's seven-overtime win at Buffalo in Week 6.