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STATE COLLEGE -- Penn State senior tight end Benjamin Brahmer and redshirt senior tight end Gabe Burkle were tabbed to the John Mackey Award watch list on Wednesday. The John Mackey Award is presented annually to the top tight end in college football. Penn State's Tyler Warren won the Mackey Award in 2024. The watch list highlights players who have demonstrated talent, leadership and potential heading into the 2026 season.
Brahmer, a senior tight end who stands 6-feet, 7-inches from Nebraska, was voted second-team All-Big 12 last year and was selected honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2023 and 2024. The Iowa State transfer played 33 games and started in 14 there and owns 75 receptions for 977 yards with nine touchdowns in his career.
He ranks sixth at Iowa State in career receptions by a tight end (75) and fifth in receiving yards by a tight end (977).
In 2025, he caught 37 passes for 446 yards and six touchdowns. He's tied sixth among FBS tight ends with six touchdowns and tied fifth in 15-plus yard receptions.
Burkle, a red-shirt senior tight end who's 6-foot-6, earned All-Big 12 honors in 2023 and 2024 and was CSC Academic All-District in 2024 with Iowa State. Now at Penn State, he caught 54 passes for 607 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate career before transferring. He had a catch in 16 consecutive games and in 2025, hauled in 26 catches for 302 yards and a score. He posted 26 receptions for 296 yards and a score in 2024.
The winner will be announced live during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 10.