Tight ends are often unheralded in the Mountain West, but the conference has quietly recruited a wealth of athletes at the position who could play important roles for their teams in 2016. Or, at least, the Mackey Award watch list, given annually to the best player at the position, would give one that impression.
Three seniors and a junior were named to this year’s list, headlined by San Jose State’s Billy Freeman. The Spartan tight end has gotten some preseason buzz as a first-team all-conference selection from various publications, with good reason, after leading all MWC tight ends in 2015 with 48 catches, 586 yards, and six touchdowns.