Colorado State University Athletics
Trey McBride Named John Mackey Award Semifinalist
11/1/2021 2:31:00 PM | Football
McBride is the national leader among tight ends in numerous categories.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Colorado State senior tight end Trey McBride has been named one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's top player at the position.
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This should not come as a surprise, as the standout from Fort Morgan leads all tight ends nationally with 8.1 receptions and 92.5 yards per game, collecting 65 overall through five games. They have accounted for 740 yards and one touchdown as he averages 11.4 yards per reception.
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McBride is doing all of it as a true throwback tight end. Nationally, he is the only tight end in the country to take more than 70 percent of his snaps in-line while also recording over 450 receiving yards and 30 receptions.
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Colorado State head coach Steve Addazio said the honor is well deserved.
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"He's the best tight end in college football," Addazio said. "I know that. I think it's great; these accolades are always wonderful, and that's a good thing. I didn't need them to let me know that he was. I've seen enough of these guys now. This guy is a unique character. I'm sure there are good tight ends – I know there are – but based on what I've seen in my experience, he's the best tight end in the country."
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McBride started the season with a 13-catch, 116-yard performance against South Dakota State and has not slowed down. He surpassed the century mark in yardage the first three games, then did so again against New Mexico and Boise State, giving him seven 100-yard performances in his career.
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His 13 catches in the opener were not just a career best, but the best single-game number for a CSU tight end and tied for second overall with Michael Gallup. His 135 yards in the win over the Lobos were a personal best. At a school with a storied list of tight ends, McBride has moved his way into elite company in program history, even with just four games played in 2020.
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His 139 career catches rank third, just two shy of Kory Sperry (141) and 14 short of Keli McGregor (153). His 1,719 career yards ranks second to McGregor (1,763). Among all CSU players, he sits just outside the top 10 in career catches (Sperry ranks 10th), and his 65 catches are three shy of the top 10 in a single season.
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The 740 yards are the most in a single season by a CSU tight end, and he's on pace to be the first Ram at the position to have a 1,000-yard campaign. His 65 catches put him four away from tying McGregor's single-season mark of 69 for a tight end.
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In 2021, McBride has tallied five 100-yard receiving games, just one shy of the national best and two more than any other tight end in the country. Relative to previous Mackey Award winners, McBride's 100-yard receiving games are already more than any previous winner had throughout their entire campaign and his 65 receptions are more than any previous winner through their first eight games. Only last year's winner, Kyle Pitts, had more receiving yards through eight weeks (770) than McBride.
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The other players on the list are: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina; Jalen Wydemyer, Texas A&M; Charlie Kolar, Iowa State; Brock Bowers, Georgia; Michael Mayer, Notre Dame; Derrick Deese, San Jose State; and Greg Dulcich, UCLA. Three finalists will be announced later this month.
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The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association, and the winner will be announced as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 9. Like last year, the awards show will be conducted through a virtual format.
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This should not come as a surprise, as the standout from Fort Morgan leads all tight ends nationally with 8.1 receptions and 92.5 yards per game, collecting 65 overall through five games. They have accounted for 740 yards and one touchdown as he averages 11.4 yards per reception.
Â
McBride is doing all of it as a true throwback tight end. Nationally, he is the only tight end in the country to take more than 70 percent of his snaps in-line while also recording over 450 receiving yards and 30 receptions.
Â
Colorado State head coach Steve Addazio said the honor is well deserved.
Â
"He's the best tight end in college football," Addazio said. "I know that. I think it's great; these accolades are always wonderful, and that's a good thing. I didn't need them to let me know that he was. I've seen enough of these guys now. This guy is a unique character. I'm sure there are good tight ends – I know there are – but based on what I've seen in my experience, he's the best tight end in the country."
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McBride started the season with a 13-catch, 116-yard performance against South Dakota State and has not slowed down. He surpassed the century mark in yardage the first three games, then did so again against New Mexico and Boise State, giving him seven 100-yard performances in his career.
Â
His 13 catches in the opener were not just a career best, but the best single-game number for a CSU tight end and tied for second overall with Michael Gallup. His 135 yards in the win over the Lobos were a personal best. At a school with a storied list of tight ends, McBride has moved his way into elite company in program history, even with just four games played in 2020.
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His 139 career catches rank third, just two shy of Kory Sperry (141) and 14 short of Keli McGregor (153). His 1,719 career yards ranks second to McGregor (1,763). Among all CSU players, he sits just outside the top 10 in career catches (Sperry ranks 10th), and his 65 catches are three shy of the top 10 in a single season.
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The 740 yards are the most in a single season by a CSU tight end, and he's on pace to be the first Ram at the position to have a 1,000-yard campaign. His 65 catches put him four away from tying McGregor's single-season mark of 69 for a tight end.
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In 2021, McBride has tallied five 100-yard receiving games, just one shy of the national best and two more than any other tight end in the country. Relative to previous Mackey Award winners, McBride's 100-yard receiving games are already more than any previous winner had throughout their entire campaign and his 65 receptions are more than any previous winner through their first eight games. Only last year's winner, Kyle Pitts, had more receiving yards through eight weeks (770) than McBride.
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The other players on the list are: Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina; Jalen Wydemyer, Texas A&M; Charlie Kolar, Iowa State; Brock Bowers, Georgia; Michael Mayer, Notre Dame; Derrick Deese, San Jose State; and Greg Dulcich, UCLA. Three finalists will be announced later this month.
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The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association, and the winner will be announced as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 9. Like last year, the awards show will be conducted through a virtual format.
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Players Mentioned
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