Courtesy of Miami Athletics:

University of Miami tight end Elija Lofton was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

The honor is presented annually by the Friends of John Mackey and recognizes the most outstanding tight end in college football.

Lofton appeared in 15 games with four starts during his sophomore campaign, finishing with career highs in receptions (23), receiving yards (218) and touchdowns (three).

Lofton has totaled 32 receptions for 368 yards and four receiving touchdowns across his first two seasons at Miami, appearing in 28 games total.

The John Mackey Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, who played 10 NFL seasons with the Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers.

Miami opens its 2026 season at Stanford on Sept. 4. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

Amazing...lol

 

The legend continues.

 

There isn't a player on this rooster that I'm rooting for more than Elija Lofton just to see him prove wrong every single one of the people on this board who doubted him.

 

There isn't a player on this rooster that I'm rooting for more than Elija Lofton just to see him make a fool out of every single one of the dipsticks on this board who mocked him to no end even knowing full well that he was hurt for the majority of the year last year!

You have to admit that's ridiculous. Who mocked him? He barely played. I hope he tears it up, but...

 

You have to admit that's ridiculous. Who mocked him? He barely played. I hope he tears it up, but...

Most have mocked the people that anointed him prematurely. I'm sure if he lives up to the Greentree All-American status people won't be upset.

 

Courtesy of Miami Athletics:

University of Miami tight end Elija Lofton was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

The honor is presented annually by the Friends of John Mackey and recognizes the most outstanding tight end in college football.

Lofton appeared in 15 games with four starts during his sophomore campaign, finishing with career highs in receptions (23), receiving yards (218) and touchdowns (three).

Lofton has totaled 32 receptions for 368 yards and four receiving touchdowns across his first two seasons at Miami, appearing in 28 games total.

The John Mackey Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, who played 10 NFL seasons with the Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers.

Miami opens its 2026 season at Stanford on Sept. 4. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

The loss of 20+ lbs and healthy should make a big difference or else can bring back bauman as he caught a lot of TDs and Tulane from Mensah

 

There isn't a player on this rooster that I'm rooting for more than Elija Lofton just to see him make a fool out of every single one of the dipsticks on this board who mocked him to no end even knowing full well that he was hurt for the majority of the year last year!

He was hurt and overweight last year. Very similar to Bain’s soph year and didn’t play up to his potential.

 

Replace Mackey with Heisman for accuracy.

 

lol the same ppl that’s always wrong on this site think they have Elijah Lofton figured out

 

I saw a video from the other day interviewing him. He looked like a different person to me due to the weight loss. Hope it finally clicks on the field this year

 

I saw a video from the other day interviewing him. He looked like a different person to me due to the weight loss. Hope it finally clicks on the field this year

Oftentimes the weight loss is indicative of the bigger picture, as in they've taken the next step of taking the game more seriously and putting in 100% effort all the way around. He was dominant at Bishop Gorman, a freak athlete...I don't think we've seen the tip of the iceberg with him yet.

 

The legend continues.

I love it, we gonna speak this into exsistance!

 

I will forever have a place in my heart for Lofton due to him giving his life on that slant vs. Ole Miss. Same goes for M. Toure, who gave his live to secure the Texas A&M victory.

 

I think the dude is gonna surprise a lot of people. He's sure as **** gonna be open a lot.

 

He's in great shape heading into this season & hopefully he can build off some production he had in that final stretch of last year.

 

You have to admit that's ridiculous. Who mocked him? He barely played. I hope he tears it up, but...

I admit I was being a bit facetious but the way I wrote that there is no way to tell.

 

Most have mocked the people that anointed him prematurely. I'm sure if he lives up to the Greentree All-American status people won't be upset.

This is true. I should not have worded my post the way I did. I was being facetious and I went a little over the top.

 

Courtesy of Miami Athletics:

University of Miami tight end Elija Lofton was named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Wednesday afternoon.

The honor is presented annually by the Friends of John Mackey and recognizes the most outstanding tight end in college football.

Lofton appeared in 15 games with four starts during his sophomore campaign, finishing with career highs in receptions (23), receiving yards (218) and touchdowns (three).

Lofton has totaled 32 receptions for 368 yards and four receiving touchdowns across his first two seasons at Miami, appearing in 28 games total.

The John Mackey Award is named for Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey, who played 10 NFL seasons with the Baltimore Colts and San Diego Chargers.

Miami opens its 2026 season at Stanford on Sept. 4. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.