IU football tight end Zach Horton earned a spot on the John Mackey Award preseason watch list on Friday.
The Friends of John Mackey annually presents the John Mackey Award to the most outstanding tight end in college football. Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the award is presented annually to the tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academic achievement and community values of Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey. The winner is chosen by a selection committee comprised of sportswriters and former players.
Horton enters his first season at Indiana after appearing in 23 games with 11 starts in three years at James Madison (2021-23). As a junior, Horton was named to the first team All-Sun Belt and has amassed 40 receptions for 434 yards and eight touchdowns in his career.
In his junior season at James Madison, he scored six touchdowns, which ranked him fifth in the nation among tight ends. Horton totaled 275 yards on 27 catches and caught at least one ball in 10 games, including multiple catches in seven games.
He posted two multi-touchdown games and caught three passes for a season-high 116 yards and two scores against South Alabama (9/30). The senior also had two touchdowns as part of a six-catch, 33-yard day at Georgia State (11/4).
Horton was also named All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports in the preseason.
See also: Horton met with the media during spring training
2024 Indiana Football Preseason Awards
James Bomba – AFCA Good Works Team Candidate, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
James Evans – Ray Guy Award – Preseason Watch List
Zach Horton – John Mackey Award – Preseason Watch List
D’Angelo Ponds – Lott Trophy Preseason Watch List
Elijah Sarratt – Bilitikoff Award Preseason Watch List
Solomon Vanhorse – College Football Comeback Player of the Year – Preseason Watchlist
Hoosier Sounds: IU football tight end Zach Horton on the Hoosiers Connect podcast
Complete coverage of IU football can be found HERE.
The Daily Hoosier – “Where Indiana fans gather when they’re not at the meeting”
