Release from UC, on the award for nation's top tight end:
"University of Cincinnati tight ends Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle have both been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top tight end.
The Bearcats are one of four teams (Georgia, Michigan, South Carolina) with multiple representatives.
Taylor, a fifth-year senior, had his best season with 28 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs. The Springfield, Ohio, native also broke out with four receptions for 70 yards and a fourth-down touchdown in the win at No. 9 Notre Dame. Taylor has also recorded a catch in a team-best 24-straight games dating back to the 2020 opener.
Whyle, also a fifth-year senior from Cincinnati's La Salle HS, had 25 catches for 320 yards and six touchdowns (second on the team) last season. He scored five touchdowns over a four-week span from Oct. 23 - Nov. 12, including career-highs of two scores at Navy and five catches at South Florida. The 2020 PFF Third-Team All-American also blocked a punt in the UCF win.
The tight-end duo join Nick Mardner (Biletnikoff) and head coach Luke Fickell (Bobby Dodd) as Bearcats on preseason watch lists so far.
"University of Cincinnati tight ends Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle have both been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation's top tight end.
The Bearcats are one of four teams (Georgia, Michigan, South Carolina) with multiple representatives.
Taylor, a fifth-year senior, had his best season with 28 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs. The Springfield, Ohio, native also broke out with four receptions for 70 yards and a fourth-down touchdown in the win at No. 9 Notre Dame. Taylor has also recorded a catch in a team-best 24-straight games dating back to the 2020 opener.
Whyle, also a fifth-year senior from Cincinnati's La Salle HS, had 25 catches for 320 yards and six touchdowns (second on the team) last season. He scored five touchdowns over a four-week span from Oct. 23 - Nov. 12, including career-highs of two scores at Navy and five catches at South Florida. The 2020 PFF Third-Team All-American also blocked a punt in the UCF win.
The tight-end duo join Nick Mardner (Biletnikoff) and head coach Luke Fickell (Bobby Dodd) as Bearcats on preseason watch lists so far.
