Indiana TE Zach Horton Named to John Mackey Award Watch List

IU Athletics Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Watch list season produced another Hoosier selected for a preseason award, as tight end Zach Horton earned a spot on the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List on Friday (Aug. 9).

The Friends of John Mackey annually award the John Mackey Award to college football’s outstanding tight end. Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the award is given annually to the tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey. The winner is chosen by a selection committee comprising sportswriters and former players

 Horton enters his first season at Indiana after in 23 career games played with 11 starts over three years at James Madison (2021-23). A first-team All-Sun Belt selection as a junior, Horton has amassed 40 receptions in his career for 434 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.
 
His junior season at James Madison included six touchdown grabs, which ranked No. 5 nationally among tight ends. Horton totaled 275 yards receiving on 27 catches and made at least one catch in 10 games with multiple receptions in seven contests. He posted two multi-touchdown games and caught three passes for a season-best 116 yards and two scores versus South Alabama (9/30). The senior also had two touchdown grabs as part of a six-catch, 33-yard day at Georgia State (11/4). 

2024 Indiana Football Preseason Accolades

James Bomba – AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

James Evans – Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List

Zach Horton – John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

D’Angelo Ponds – Lott Trophy Preseason Watch List

Elijah Sarratt – Bilitikoff Award Preseason Watch List

Solomon Vanhorse - College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List