photo by: Nick Krug

Kansas tight end Ben Johnson (84) breaks up the field after a catch during the first quarter on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015 at Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin, Texas.

With college football season getting closer by the day, some of the award watch lists have started to trickle out. Kansas football tight end Ben Johnson became the first Jayhawk to earn preseason recognition Wednesday, when the John Mackey Award’s selection committee placed Johnson on its watch list.

Named for NFL hall of famer John Mackey, the award goes to college football’s most outstanding tight end.

Now headed into his junior season, Johnson, one of eight returning starters for the KU offense, caught 13 passes for 115 yards in 2015, while playing with three different starting quarterbacks — Ryan Willis, Montell Cozart and Deondre Ford.

A 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end, Johnson earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition as a sophomore, while playing in all 12 games for the winless Jayhawks.

A native of nearby Basehor, Johnson was one of two Big 12 tight ends on the 45-player Mackey list, along with Oklahoma State senior Blake Jarwin, an All-Big 12 first-team selection in 2015.

Former Kansas tight end Jimmay Mundine was a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award in 2014.

The Mackey Award will be announced Dec. 7, and then presented the following day, at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show, on ESPNU.

KU’s season begins Sept. 3, when the Jayhawks play host to Rhode Island, at Memorial Stadium.