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UCLA Football: TE Austin Roberts named to Mackey Award watch list

By Mike Regalado

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins claps his hands during warmups for the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl on September 10, 2016 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 42-21. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins claps his hands during warmups for the game against the UNLV Rebels at the Rose Bowl on September 10, 2016 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 42-21. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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UCLA Football wide receiver turned tight end Austin Roberts has been named to the 2017 preseason John Mackey Award watch list.

The UCLA Football team has yet another player named to a preseason award watch list as junior Austin Roberts has been been named to the John Mackey Award watch list.

RELATED: Josh Rosen named to the Maxwell Award watch list

Per the Mackey Award site, the award is “Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee and the 2017 Mackey Award recipient will be announced on December 6, 2017 and then presented live on December 7, 2017 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.”

Last season, the Bruins had incorporated more tight end play into their offensive scheme. Roberts, who comes in at 6’2″, 215 lbs., slowly emerged and grew into his new position after playing as a wide receiver in his first two years with the Bruins.

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Last season, he had 15 receptions for 261 yards (6th on the team) with one touchdown. He needs a little bit of work in the blockong department, but overall, as Go Joe Bruin expert Michael Chavez wrote, Roberts seems like a “natural fit” at tight end.

Roberts will be guided by new Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch who will continue to utilize the tight end positions. Though Roberts is going to be a top TE target for QB Josh Rosen, the Bruins have several fantastic options at tight end.

Caleb Wilson was another very productive TE who caught 16 passes for 220 yards in 2016. The Bruins will also be able to utilize the skills of Jordan Wilson and freshmen Jimmy Jaggers. The Bruins also add transfer Devin Asiasi to the rotation the season after next, so looking ahead, UCLA is stacked at TE.

Next: The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

Congratulations, Austin! Go Bruins!