NEW YORK – For the fourth straight season, the University of South Alabama football program will have a candidate in consideration for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. On Tuesday, rising junior Maaseiah Francis was included on the Preseason John Mackey Award Watch List released by the Friends of John Mackey.
Francis is projected to start for the Jaguars this fall, his second season at South. Last year, as the Jags' primary option at the position behind eventual NFL Draft selection Gerald Everett, Francis finished with 18 receptions for 261 yards and two touchdowns; both scores came after he led all players with seven catches for 146 yards at Idaho.