Alabama football senior O.J. Howard was selected as one of eight semifinalists for the 2016 John Mackey Award, The Friends of John Mackey announced on Monday morning.

Howard has put together a standout senior season, catching 29 passes for 352 yards to average 12.1 yards per catch while adding two touchdowns. He has at least one catch in every game this year and has improved as the season wears on, recording 15 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown across his last three contests.  Howard has also improved on his blocking this season, helping the Crimson Tide rushers accumulate 2,581 yards through 10 games to average 258.1 yards per game on the ground.

Finalists for the Mackey Award will be announced on Nov. 22. The 2016 John Mackey Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 7, 2016, and presented live on Dec. 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show airing at 6 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

The Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding tight end in college football and has been presented each year since 2000.

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