Deaver Named to Mackey Award Watch List

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke redshirt senior Braxton Deaver has been selected to the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, which honors the top tight end in college football. It is the second consecutive year Deaver has been on the watch list.

Deaver, a 6-5, 245-pound native of Charlotte, N.C., missed the entire 2014 season due to injury and returns for his sixth year with the Blue Devils. He was placed on the preseason All-ACC first team by Lindy's Sports and the third team by Athlon Sports.

In 2013, he earned All-ACC third team honors after totaling 46 receptions for 600 yards and four touchdowns. Deaver had multiple receptions in every game in 2013, including six for a career-high 116 yards in Duke's 52-48 loss to No. 20 Texas A&M in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. He also keyed Duke's 35-22 comeback win against Virginia on October 19, 2013, scoring back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter covering 47 and 24 yards to help Duke overcome a 22-0 deficit. In Deaver's career, he has played in 26 games, hauling in 54 passes for 707 yards and four touchdowns.

The Mackey Award is named in honor of John Mackey, a 10-year NFL veteran and a Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Colts.

The John Mackey Award, presented since 2000, lists 14 alumni who have played in the NFL: two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham ('01), 2006 Super Bowl Champion Dallas Clark ('02), Kellen Winslow II ('03), two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller ('04), Marcedes Lewis ('05), 2008 Super Bowl Champion Matt Spaeth ('06), Fred Davis ('07), Chase Coffman ('08), Aaron Hernandez ('09), D.J. Williams ('10), Dwayne Allen ('11), Tyler Eifert ('12), Austin Seferian-Jenkins ('13) and Nick O'Leary ('14).

The Blue Devils bring back six returning starters on offense and six on defense from last season's squad, which qualified for a bowl for the third straight season.

Duke opens the 2015 campaign at Tulane on Thursday, September 3. To order Duke season tickets, call (919) 681-BLUE or visit www.GoDuke.com/footballtix.

Duke Players on 2015 NCFAA Watch Lists
Paul Hornung Award: DeVon Edwards
Bednarik Award: Kelby Brown & Jeremy Cash
Rimington Trophy: Matt Skura
Mackey Award: Braxton Deaver

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