Auburn TE Rivaldo Fairweather named to Mackey Award preseason watchlist

One day after wide receiver Robert Lewis earned a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watchlist, another Auburn playmaker grabbed similar honors.

The John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding tight end annually, revealed its preseason watchlist Friday and has included Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather.

Fairweather burst onto the scene last season, his first as an Auburn Tiger. The FIU transfer led all receivers by hauling in 38 catches for 394 yards and six touchdowns. Now, he looks to earn national recognition and take home hardware as college football’s best tight end.

The preseason nod comes after being snubbed from a spot on the All-SEC preseason team. Fairweather says that he tries to block out the preseason chatter, but has worked this offseason to be a better player not only for himself but also for his team.

“I’ve been grinding this offseason, focusing on making sure I’m in shape (and) having better stamina and stuff like that so I can go out there and play every play and not want to come off the field because my team needs me out there,” Fairweather said.

Fairweather joins fellow SEC tight ends Oscar Delp (Georgia), Caden Prieskorn (Ole Miss), and Donovan Green (Texas A&M) as members of the watchlist. The top three finalists will be announced on Nov. 26 and the winner will accept the award on Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football awards.

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