Mulder Named to 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
8/5/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Kent State Tight End Recognized Among Nation's Best Entering 2026 Season
KENT, Ohio — Kent State tight end Terik Mulder has been named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) announced Wednesday. The honor recognizes the top collegiate tight ends in the country heading into the 2026 season.
Mulder is one of just two Mid-American Conference players to earn a spot on the watch list, joining Eastern Michigan's Joshua Long.
The senior enters 2026 coming off a productive 2025 campaign in which he hauled in 19 receptions for 198 yards and four touchdowns. Mulder found the end zone in four different games.
The Golden Flashes open the 2026 season on the road at South Carolina, on September 5, at 12:45 p.m. Eastern. Season tickets for the 2026 season are available now at KSUtix.com.
The John Mackey Award, established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding tight end and honors the legacy of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey. The John Mackey Award Selection Committee will continue to evaluate candidates throughout the season, with additional players eligible to be added based on their on-field performance. A midseason watch list, a list of finalists, and the eventual winner will be announced later in the year.
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