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Tennessee football: Vols Senior TE Ethan Wolfe on 2017 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

By Caleb Calhoun

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Ethan Wolf #82 of the Tennessee Volunteers makes a reception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half of the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Ethan Wolf #82 of the Tennessee Volunteers makes a reception against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half of the Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee football tight end Ethan Wolf is getting national recognition. The Volunteers senior is on the 2017 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.

Splitting time with Jason Croom last year as the co-starter at tight end for Tennessee football, Ethan Wolf’s receiving production took a slight dip.

He went from 23 receptions for 301 yards and two touchdowns in 2015 to 21 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns in 2016.

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Add in the 23 receptions for 212 yards his freshman year, and he’s got 67 receptions for 752 yards.

But Wolf has clearly been the best all-around tight end on the team the past two years when you factor in his blocking. And he now has a season to himself as a full-time starter.

So it makes perfect sense for the 6’6″ 258-pound tight end to be on preseason award watch lists. With a chance to go for 1,000 career receiving yards, it only makes sense.

And sure enough, his appearance on the 2017 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List was the first appearance a Vols player has made on any 2017 preseason watch list.

The award goes annually to the top tight end in college football. Its winner will be announced on Dec. 6 and presented on Dec. 7.

Wolf is one of over 50 players on the preseason watch list. However, the only two Vols to become semifinalists for the award are Jason Witten and Luke Stocker.

And if Wolf gets that 1,000-yard mark, he will surpass both of them to become the all-time leader in receiving among Tennessee football tight ends.

So expect him to be in the conversation. And with Larry Scott running the offense this year, you can expect a more physical approach.

As a result, Wolf could see even more action this year than he has in previous years. That will only help his case to win the Mackey Award.

After all, Scott was the tight ends coach for the Vols first. So you could see why he would utilize Wolf more.

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