C.J. Conrad named to John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

HOOVER, Ala. — The Kentucky Wildcats still have one day of waiting before taking the stage at SEC Media Days, but that hasn’t stopped some of the team’s players from earning preseason praise.

Benny Snell and Jordan Jones were both named to prestigious awards on Monday. On Tuesday, junior tight end C.J. Conrad was the latest player to be considered as it was announced he was named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List for the third straight season. The award is given annually to the collegiate standout at the tight end position for the given season.

Conrad finished fourth on the team in receiving with 19 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns last season. He racked up a majority of those stats against New Mexico State. Conrad caught five passes for a career-high 133 yards and three touchdowns during UK's 62-42 win over the Aggies. He became the first UK player since Dicky Lyons Jr. in 2007 to have three receiving touchdowns in a game.

As a freshman, Conrad earned a spot on the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List after hauling in three catches for 55 yards and one touchdown in UK’s win over No. 25 Missouri. The same performance also earned him an honorable mention for the weekly edition of the award.