Thurman Named Semifinalist For Mackey Award

University of North Carolina Athletics

November 11, 2026 | Football

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In the midst of one of the best seasons by a tight end in program history, North Carolina's Jelani Thurman has been named a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, which recognizes the nation's top collegiate tight end.

Thurman is UNC's first Mackey Award semifinalist since Bryson Nesbit in 2023. He is one of nine semifinalists nationally and one of two representatives from the ACC.

The Fairburn, Ga., native has put together a record-setting season, recording eight receiving touchdowns to tie UNC's single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end. The mark, originally set by Mike Chatham in 1979, is the…