Fannin is one of three players in the running for the nation’s best tight end.
Awards season is drawing near.
Most college football awards narrowed down their pool to the finalist stage this week. One of those awards — the John Mackey Award recognizing the nation’s best tight end — slimmed down to three finalists Tuesday.
Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is one of three candidates Mackey Award, sharing the finalist stage with Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland.
Fannin is on pace for a record-breaking season. The tight end currently ranks first in the entire FBS (including wide receivers) in receiving yardage at 1,295. He is tied for second nationally in receptions with 92, and he has nine receiving touchdowns on the season. Fannin ranks first in all three categories among FBS tight ends.
The current record-holder for most tight end receiving yards in a season is former Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, who registered 1,352 yards in 2013. Fannin, who is a game-time decision for Friday’s regular season vs. Miami (OH), is 57 yards away from the record. Participation in a potential MAC Championship Game and bowl game could also help Fannin shattered the 11-year old record.
Fannin has eclipsed 120 receiving yards in seven of 11 games this year, even thriving against top competition such as Penn State (11 receptions, 137 yards, 1 touchdown) and Texas A&M (8 receptions, 145 yards, 1 touchdown). He set his career-highs in receptions and receiving yards in a 12-catch, 193-yard outburst vs. Old Dominion on Sept. 28 — notching two touchdowns in that outing.
Fannin also doubles as one of the best blocking tight ends in college football, and Bowling Green utilizes him in a multitude of ways. He lines up in the backfield on occasion, and his skills as a ball carrier have been put to the test. Fannin even collected a go-ahead touchdown to defeat Akron in October on a 31-yard jet sweep.
The Mackey Award has been awarded at the end of every season since 2000 — named after Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey. Fannin already has more receiving yards than any previous winner, surpassing Trey McBride’s 1,121 from the 2021 season. Pitted against two Big Ten finalists, he seeks to become the first-ever winner from the MAC.
The winner of the John Mackey Award will be announced Thursday, Dec. 12 on the ESPN broadcast for The Home Depot College Football Awards.