E.J. Bibbs named to Mackey Award watch list

Redshirt+sophomore+wide+receiver+Tad+Ecby%2C+redshirt+sophomore+wide+receiver+Quenton+Bundrage+and+junior+tight+end+E.J.+Bibbs+celebrate+the+first+touchdown+of+the+game+by+Bundrage+in+the+end+zone+against+Iowa+on+Sept.+14+at+Jack+Trice+Stadium.+Bundrage+scored+all+three+Cyclone+touchdowns+but+was+clearly+not+enough+in+the+27-21+loss+to+in-state+rivals.

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Tad Ecby, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Quenton Bundrage and junior tight end E.J. Bibbs celebrate the first touchdown of the game by Bundrage in the end zone against Iowa on Sept. 14 at Jack Trice Stadium. Bundrage scored all three Cyclone touchdowns but was clearly not enough in the 27-21 loss to in-state rivals.

Max Dible

ISU senior tight end E.J. Bibbs has been named to the preseason watchlist for the Mackey Award, an honor named after Hall of Famer John Mackey and bestowed annually upon the nation’s top tight end.

Bibbs earned the recognition after a season that saw him snag 39 passes, tying him for 13th in catches among all Football Bowl Subdivision tight ends in 2013 and earning him the second highest catches mark for a tight end in ISU history.

Bibbs did it all on his way to racking up 462 yards, which were complemented by two touchdowns.

Bibbs was also the Cyclones’ most consistent target, catching at least two passes in every ISU game.

Those numbers earned Bibbs accolades last season, including second team All-Big 12 honors as selected by both the Associated Press as well as the Coaches Poll.

Bibbs is also a preseason first team All-Big 12 player, according to the football preseason magazines Athlon’s, Lindy’s, Phil Steele, Sporting News and Bleacher’s Report.