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BLACKSBURG — Junior tight end Bucky Hodges has been named to the Mackey Award Preseason Watch List for the second-consecutive season and junior center Eric Gallo has been selected to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List.

Hodges was one of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award last season and he hauled in 40 catches for 530 yards and six touchdowns. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native also earned second-team All-ACC honors by the conference coaches and was tabbed third-team All-ACC by the ACSMA.

Hodges’ 13 career touchdown catches are tied for eighth in program history and rank third in the ACC record book for career receiving touchdowns by a tight end. Hodges has a chance to crack the top 10 in conference history in receiving yards and receptions at his position in 2016.

Gallo started in all 13 games for the Hokies in 2015 and paved the way for a 1,000-yard rusher in sophomore Travon McMillan. A 2015 All-ACC Academic Team selection, Gallo was one of nine Hokies and one of three offensive linemen to have registered starts in all 13 contests last season.

The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end while the Rimington Trophy has been handed out since the year 2000 to the nation’s top center.

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