
By Staff Report.
Clemson, SC—Clemson sophomore tight end Dwayne Allen is one of 32 players on the John Mackey Award preseason Watch List for the 2010 season. The award is presented by the Nassau County (New York) Sports Commission and is named in honor of former Baltimore Colts great John Mackey.
Allen tied a Clemson freshman record in 2009 for touchdown receptions by a tight end with three and he had 10 receptions overall for 108 yards. He started six games and played in all 14. He played alongside 2009 senior Michael Palmer last year. Palmer, now with the Atlanta Falcons, was first-team All-ACC last year when he had 43 receptions, a record for a tight end. This year Allen figures to be one of the centerpieces of the Clemson offense.
Allen was one of just three sophomores on the preseason Mackey Award Watch List. The others are Ryan Griffin of Connecticut and D.C. Jefferson of Rutgers. Allen was one of just four ACC tight ends on the list and is joined by George Bryan of NC State, Brett Huffman of Duke and Zach Pianalto of North Carolina.
Allen is the sixth Clemson player named to a preseason Watch List so far. The complete list is below:
Player Award Honor
Dwayne Allen Mackey Award Tight End
DeAndre McDaniel Thorpe Award Defensive Back
Nagurski Award Top Defensive Player
Bednarik Award Top Defensive Player
Da’Quan Bowers Lombardi Award Top Lineman
Ted Hendrick Award Top Defensive End
Nagurski Award Top Defensive Player
Jarvis Jenkins Outland Trophy Top interior lineman
Nagurski Award Top Defensive Player
Dalton Freeman Rimington Award Top Center
Kyle Parker Maxwell Award National Player of the Year