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John Mackey Award Semi Finalists

Photo - Dennis Pitta - BYU

Seniors Head Mackey Finalists

The Nassau County Sports Commission has announced eight semi-finalists for the 2009 John Mackey Award. Listed alphabetically, they are Dorin Dickerson (SR, Pittsburgh), Ed Dickson (SR, Oregon), Aaron Hernandez (JR, Florida), Anthony McCoy (SR, USC), Tony Moeaki (SR, Iowa), Dennis Pitta (SR, BYU), Kyle Rudolph (SO, Notre Dame) and Cody Slate (SR, Marshall).
BYU’s Dennis Pitta is having another fine performance as a receiver in the potent Cougar air game. Through 10 games, he has caught 46 passes for 642 yards for an impressive 14 yard average per catch and 5 TDs He was one of the blue chip tight end prospects we recommended to the Senior Bowl for this January’s premier classic all-star event.
The eight semi-finalists were determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. It consists of six seniors, one junior and one sophomore at a position that has become increasing important at both the college and pro levels.
The 2009 John Mackey Award finalists will be announced on Monday, November 23, 2009 at www.johnmackeyaward.org. The John Mackey Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game's predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association's official website, www.ncfaa.org.

2009 John Mackey Award Semi-Finalists
Player / Year / School

Dorin Dickerson - Senior - Pittsburgh
Ed Dickson - Senior - Oregon
Aaron Hernandez - Junior - Florida
Anthony McCoy - Senior - Southern Cal
Tony Moeaki - Senior - Iowa
Dennis Pitta - Senior - BYU
Kyle Rudolph - Sophomore - Notre Dame
Cody Slate - Senior - Marshall

All Time John Mackey Award Recipients
Year / Player / School

2008 - Chase Coffman - Missouri
2007 - Fred Davis - USC
2006 - Matt Spaeth - Minnesota
2005 - Marcedes Lewis - UCLA
2004 - Heath Miller - Virginia
2003 - Kellen Winslow II - Miami
2002 - Dallas Clark - Iowa
2001 - Daniel Graham - Colorado
2000 - Tim Stratton - Purdue

The Mackey Award website features all related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.

Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.