Dorian Fleming Named to 2026 John Mackey Award Watch List
8/4/2026 9:52:00 PM | Football
COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland redshirt junior tight end Dorian Fleming has been named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Watch List, the John Mackey Award Selection Committee announced Wednesday. The award recognizes the top tight end in college football.
Fleming, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound standout from Henrico, Virginia, enters the 2026 season after appearing in all 12 games last season.
An Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection in 2025, Fleming finished second among Big Ten tight ends with 40 receptions for 351 yards.
Fleming ranked third on the team with three receiving touchdowns and recorded a career-high nine receptions against Washington, tied for the second-most by an FBS tight end in a game during the 2025 season. His nine catches were also the second-most by a Maryland tight end in a game over the last 30 seasons, trailing only Chig Okonkwo's 12 receptions against Penn State on Nov. 6, 2021.
The John Mackey Award Selection Committee monitors player progression through the fall, retaining the flexibility to expand the list based on collegiate success. Given to the nation's top collegiate tight end, the accolade pays tribute to the enduring legacy of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee John Mackey. His extraordinary skill, leadership, and personal integrity serve as a benchmark for modern competitors. Originally founded in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, this recognition stands as a premier individual achievement for those at the position.
A distinguished member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), the John Mackey Award joins 25 elite accolades that have celebrated over 950 honorees since 1935. Throughout a 15-day reveal, sixteen NCFAA members are set to disclose their highly anticipated preseason watch lists. Fans and media are encouraged to visit NCFAA.org for further details regarding these prestigious honors.
