Could Michigan Get Its Second-Ever Mackey Award Winner In Program History?

Michigan has two tight ends on the John Mackey Award watch list heading into the 2023 season.

Michigan continues to get names on the watch list for several prominent awards.

It was announced that Colston Loveland and AJ Barner are two names that made it onto the John Mackey Award watch list for the nation's best tight end. The Wolverines have had one tight end in the program's history to win the award, which was Jake Butt back in 2016. 

With Luke Schoonmaker off to the NFL, Loveland has the inside track to becoming the top option at tight end this season. As a true freshman, we saw the receiving capabilities Loveland possesses and he's another threat for J.J. McCarthy to have at his disposal. 

Here is more on Loveland, via the press release:

Photo by: Chris Breiler

• 14 games played with five starts at tight end

• 16 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns in 2022

• Set a career best with four catches against TCU in the 2022 CFP Semifinal

• 2022 Offensive and Special Teams (co-) Rookie of the Year

With how much the Wolverines like to utilize the tight end position, Michigan went out and got Indiana transfer AJ Barner. Barner is similar to Schoonmaker in that he can both block and can catch the rock. Fans should get used to seeing Barner in the two tight end sets that Michigan runs.

AJ Barner during the spring game

• Readying for his first season as a Wolverine after earning three letters at Indiana, where he was a captain

• Caught 42 passes for 361 yards with four touchdowns in his career

• 30 career games played with nine starts at tight end

The Michigan offense is set up to become extremely explosive in 2023. Could the Wolverines have their next John Mackey Award-winning tight end? It's possible.