BOONE, N.C. — The preseason watch list for the 2018 John Mackey Award, which is given to the best tight end in college football, includes Appalachian State junior Collin Reed.
Only two tight ends on the Mackey list had more touchdown receptions in 2017 than Reed, who scored five times as a sophomore. That total ranked first among returning Sun Belt Conference tight ends.
A native of Boiling Springs, S.C., the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Reed had touchdown receptions of 68 and 16 yards in a 106-yard game early last season. His three touchdowns against Sun Belt opponents came at key times in victories when the Mountaineers were trailing by 13 points, trailing by three points and leading by three points.