Williams named Mackey finalist

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams was named the first Mackey Award finalist in school history as the list of three finalists for the award was released Monday by the Nassau County Sports Commission.

Williams is the NCAA’s active career leader in receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. His 144 career catches, 50 more than the next-closest tight end, also place him in a tie for second on Arkansas’ all-time list, and his 1,789 receiving yards, 314 more than the second-place tight end on the list, place him 10th on the program’s all-time list.

This season, the senior from Little Rock, Ark., is tied for the team lead with 46 receptions, which have netted 561 yards, the fourth-highest total on the team, and a single-season career-high four touchdowns. His 4.2 receptions-per-game average is fifth in the SEC this season.

Williams was the first Razorback to be named a semifinalist for the Mackey Award in 2008 and also was on the award’s watch list last season.

The John Mackey Award, established in 2001, is awarded annually to the most outstanding tight end in FBS college football. In addition to demonstrating outstanding athletic prowess on the field, the award also stands for positive sportsmanship-like behavior, good academic standing and exceptional leadership abilities.

The 2010 Mackey Award winner will be presented live on ESPNU at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet show between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 9, 2010, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

2010 Mackey Award Finalists

Michael Egnew, Jr., MissouriLance Kendricks, Sr., WisconsinD.J. Williams, Sr., Arkansas