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Virginia Tech tight ends Bucky Hodges and Ryan Malleck were among the 33 FBS players named to the 2015 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List. Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee, and the 2015 John Mackey recipient will be announced on Dec. 9 and then presented live on Dec. 10 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.

Hodges is coming off a sensational freshman campaign in 2014 that saw him earn Freshman All-America honors from USA Today. He was also a third-team All-ACC pick of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. He played in all 13 games (10 starts) for the Hokies a year ago, recording 45 receptions, the most ever for a freshman tight end at Tech. He registered 526 yards and six touchdowns as well. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native prepped at Salem High School.

Malleck enters his senior season for the Hokies after starting 12 contests in 2014. The Point Pleasant, New Jersey product caught 24 passes for 195 yards and two scores last year, including a 1-yard touchdown in Tech’s win over Cincinnati in the Military Bowl. He also grabbed his first career touchdown on a 5-yard pass against Boston College.

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee John Mackey is considered to be the best to have played the tight end position. A tight end by whom all others are measured, Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first president of the NFLPA.

To view the entire list of those who made the team, go to www.johnmackeyaward.com.

Other key dates include the announcement of the 2015 Mackey Midseason Watch List on Oct. 12, the 2015 Mackey semifinalists on Nov. 16 and the 2015 Mackey finalists on Nov. 24.

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