Arizona TE Bryce Wolma makes John Mackey Award watch list

Arizona Wildcats sophomore tight end Bryce Wolma has been named to the John Mackey Award preseason watch list, it was announced Friday. The award is presented annually to the nation’s best tight end.

The Saline, Michigan native is coming off a productive true freshman season, in which he caught 28 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns.

Tight ends weren’t utilized often during Rich Rodriguez’s tenure, but Wolma was Brandon Dawkins’ favorite target early in the 2017 season, hauling in 15 passes in the first four games.

However, Wolma’s production dipped once Khalil Tate took over at quarterback in Week 6.

With Tate behind center, only once did Wolma have two or more receptions in a game. That was against Cal when he caught three passes for 51 yards and a touchdown in an overtime win in Berkeley.

New UA head coach Kevin Sumlin isn’t known for leaning on tight ends in the passing game, so it will be interesting to see how Wolma fares in his sophomore season.

Arizona also has redshirt sophomore Jamie Nunley, who proved to be a useful vertical threat. He caught six passes for 159 yards in 2017, including a 68-yard touchdown in the win vs. Washington State.