NEW YORK — The Mackey Award Foundation announced Friday that Tennessee redshirt senior tight end Miles Kitselman was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 John Mackey Award, which is presented annually to the best tight end in college football.
Kitselman is one of 45 tight ends recognized on the list, including one of 10 from the Southeastern Conference. The Lyndon, Kansas, native enters his second season with the Vols in 2025 as a prominent leader for Tennessee’s offensive unit looking to build off its first College Football Playoff berth last fall.
Tennessee’s starting tight end in all 13 games last season, Kitselman led the unit with 301 receiving yards, four receiving touchdowns and one rushing score, and his five total scores were third-most among SEC tight ends in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Kitselman is one of the top three returning tights in the SEC in 2025.
Eight Mackey Award semifinalists will be announced Thursday, Oct. 30, and that group will be narrowed down to three finalists on Wednesday, Nov. 26. The winner will be unveiled during ESPN’s live presentation of The Home Depot College Football Awards show, scheduled for Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. ET.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Mackey Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Star Thomas, RB, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
