Farmer Gronk is one of the best in the business.
On Tuesday, Cade Stover was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award – an honor presented to the best tight end in college football – with Brock Bowers of Georgia and Dallin Holker of Colorado State.
Stover has been Ohio State's second-best pass-catcher this season behind Marvin Harrison Jr., who has been named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award with Malik Nabers of LSU and Rome Odunze of Washington. Across 11 appearances in 2023, Stover has collected 41 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns, improving upon the 36 receptions, 406 yards and five scores he recorded for the Buckeyes in 2022.
In the summer, Bowers, the 2022 John Mackey Award winner, looked poised to receive the accolade for a second consecutive season as the top offensive weapon at Georgia. With 37 receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns in six games, Bowers seemed like a lock to win. Then, he suffered an ankle sprain against Vanderbilt, which forced him to miss several weeks, opening the door for Stover, Holker and others to contend for the award. Bowers has since returned to the UGA sidelines and collected 10 catches for 94 yards and two scores in two of the past three weeks.
Holker has been a standout for Colorado State in 2023. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end has been one of the best at his position all season, recording 64 receptions for 767 yards and six touchdowns for the Rams in 12 appearances.
The winner of the John Mackey Award will be announced on Dec. 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. At the event, Bowers could become the first-ever two-time winner of the Mackey Award, while Stover will look to become Ohio State’s first-ever winner of the award.
