CINCINNATI — University of Cincinnati tight ends Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle have both been named to the John Mackey Award Watch List, presented annually to the nation’s top tight end.

The Bearcats are one of five teams (Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, South Carolina) with multiple representatives. 

Taylor, a fifth-year senior, had his best season with 28 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs. The Springfield, Ohio, native also broke out with four receptions for 70 yards and a fourth-down touchdown in the win at No. 9 Notre Dame. Taylor has also recorded a catch in a team-best 24-straight games dating back to the 2020 opener.

Whyle, also a fifth-year senior from Cincinnati’s La Salle HS, had 25 catches for 320 yards and six touchdowns (second on the team) last season. He scored five touchdowns over a four-week span from Oct. 23 – Nov. 12, including career-highs of two scores at Navy and five catches at South Florida. The 2020 PFF Third-Team All-American also blocked a punt in the UCF win. 

The tight-end duo join Nick Mardner (Biletnikoff) and head coach Luke Fickell (Bobby Dodd) as Bearcats on preseason watch lists so far.

THE BEARCATS ARE READY TO RELOAD
Led by Fickell, the reigning consensus National Coach of the Year, and 12 returning starters, the Bearcats are the two-time defending AAC Champions and are coming off of a 13-1 season that culminated in a trip to the 2021 College Football Playoff. With a 44-7 mark since the start of 2018, Cincinnati’s 86% winning percentage ranks among the nation’s Top 5 winning percentages over the last four years. 

Cincinnati opens the 2022 season at 3:30 p.m. ET on Sept. 3 against Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., before coming home to Nippert Stadium to welcome Kennesaw State at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10.

While season tickets are sold out for the first time in school history, fans can still purchase single-game tickets for as low as $25 HERE. Fans can also join the waiting list for 2023 season tickets.

COURTESY UC SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS