Tide’s Tight End Named to Award Watchlist

Alabama's offense has not always featured a high-level tight end, but when their numbers have been called, they delivered.

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OJ Howard was instrumental in Alabama's 2016 National Championship win over the Clemson Tigers and helped Alabama to be in a position for a potential win in 2017 as well. Irv Smith Jr. was a strong member of Alabama's receiving core during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

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CJ Dippre was Alabama's starting tight end last season after transferring to the Crimson Tide from the Maryland Terrapins. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley is the head coach at Maryland.

Dippre totaled 11 catches for 187 yards in his first season in Tuscaloosa. With the introduction of Kalen DeBoer's offense following his hiring after Nick Saban retired, Dippre is slated to see an increased role in Alabama's offense under the guidance of DeBoer, offensive coordinator Nic Sheridan, and tight end coach Bryan Ellis. Ellis was the offensive coordinator at Georgia Southern before arriving at Alabama.

Dippre's potentially increased role has landed him on the Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.

Other SEC Tight Ends on the John Mackey Award Watchlist include:

Oscar Delp - Georgia
Mason Taylor - LSU
Caden Prieskorn - Ole Miss
Donovan Green - Texas A&M
Benjamin Yurosek - Georgia
Rivaldo Fairweather - Auburn
Amari Niblack - Texas
Brett Norfleet - Missouri
Daequan Wright - Ole Miss
Arlis Boardingham - Florida
Luke Hasz - Arkansas

You can view the full Mackey Award Watchlist here.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.