Walford Named to Mackey Midseason Watch List

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Senior tight end Clive Walford was named to the 2014 Mackey Award Midseason Watch List earlier this week by the Mackey Award Selection Committee.

Walford (Belle Glade, Fla.) received the midseason honor after opening the year on a high note, hauling in a team-best 23 receptions. In addition to his team-leading 23 receptions, Walford has 306 receiving yards and four touchdowns both totals rank second on the team.

He is looking to become the second Hurricane tight end to receive the award since Kellen Winslow II did so in 2003.

Walford was one of six ACC players selected to the midseason watch list. The six honorees is the highest of any FBS conference. Among the six ACC players named to the midseason watch list, Walford has the most receiving yards and touchdowns.

The Mackey Award is presented annually to the nation’s top tight end in the name of NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey, who is considered by many to be the best to have played the tight end position.  Mackey, who lettered three years at Syracuse, is a tight end by whom all others are measured. He was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.

Two ACC players have previously won the Mackey Award, which began in 2000, in Virginia’s Heath Miller (2004) and Clemson’s Dwayne Allen (2011). Additionally, current ACC member Miami had one of its players selected one year prior to joining the conference in Kellen Winslow II (2003).

The 2014 Mackey Award semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 17, with the finalists announced on Nov. 24. The 2014 recipient will be announced on Dec. 10, and presented on The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on Dec. 11 on ESPNU.