July 9, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.; July 9, 2013 - Penn State sophomore Kyle Carter (Bear, Del.) has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2013 John Mackey Award, which is awarded to the nation's top collegiate tight end.
The Mackey Award honors outstanding athletic prowess on the field, along with positive sportsmanship-like behavior, good academic standing & exceptional leadership abilities. The award recipient is determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee, which is composed of respected members of the media and former NFL players.
A 2012 consensus first-team Freshman All-American, Carter was bestowed the honors by CBSsports.com, Sporting News, CollegeFootballNews.com, Fox Sports/Scout.com and Phil Steele's College Football. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, Carter was the only freshman named to 2012 John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List.
Carter ranked second on the team with 36 receptions for 453 yards and was the lone freshman to rank among the Big Ten leaders in receptions and receiving yards per game in 2012. He made six catches of 20-or-more yards, despite missing three of the final four games in 2012 due to injury, and caught a pair of touchdown passes on the season. He hauled in four or more passes on six occasions during his first season on the gridiron, including six grabs vs. Ohio, at Iowa and against Ohio State. The former William Penn High School standout set a career-high with 85 receiving yards against the Hawkeyes and earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for his effort in the 38-14 victory.
The John Mackey Award is named after NFL Hall of Famer John Mackey, who is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
The 2013 John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List will be announced on October 14, semifinalists will be named on November 18 and finalists chosen on November 25. The award will be presented live on ESPNU on December 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show.
Coach Bill O'Brien's squad returns 16 starters and 38 letterwinners for this year. Season tickets are available for the 2013 campaign. The Nittany Lions will host five bowl teams from 2012, including three teams that finished in the BCS Top 25: Michigan (Oct. 12-Homecoming), Nebraska (Nov. 23) and Kent State (Sept. 21). Purdue, Illinois, UCF and Eastern Michigan also will visit Beaver Stadium this fall.
Penn State opens its 127th season vs. Syracuse on August 31 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and purchasing season tickets and for the Syracuse game, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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