WKU Football’s Simon named to Mackey Award watchlist

Joshua+Simon+%286%29+of+Western+Kentucky+University%E2%80%99s+maneuvered+away+from+Jacione+Fugate+%281%29+of+the+Charlotte+49ers+at+the+game+on+Saturday%2C+Oct.+19%2C+2019%2C+in+Houchens-Smith+Stadium%2C+Bowling+Green%2C+Ky.+Simon+recovered+and+continued+running+towards+the+endzone.

Credit: WKU Athletics

Joshua Simon (6) of Western Kentucky University’s maneuvered away from Jacione Fugate (1) of the Charlotte 49ers at the game on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Houchens-Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky. Simon recovered and continued running towards the endzone.

Wyatt Sparkman, Football reporter

WKU sophomore tight end Joshua Simon was named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watchlist, the award given to the nation’s best tight end, on Friday morning. 

https://twitter.com/ConferenceUSA/status/1418585964629405698

Simon is coming off of a 2020 campaign that saw the South Carolina native start in all 13 games for the Hilltoppers. Last season he caught 33 passes for 370 yards and three touchdowns, which ranked first, second, and third in Conference USA for tight ends respectively.

Simon had 10 multiple-reception games last year. His best game in 2020 came against UAB where he notched a season-high six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. 

Simon was also named to the Athlon Sports Preseason All-Conference USA Second Team and Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference USA Third Team this offseason. He will enter 2021 with the seventh-most touchdown catches by a Hilltopper tight end with seven.

Football reporter Wyatt Sparkman can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @wyattsparkman3.