Pitt's Gill named candidate for Mackey Award

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By Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

University of Pittsburgh senior tight end Erik Gill, who ranked second on the team in touchdown passes and yards per catch last season, has been named one of 20 candidates for the 2005 John Mackey Award.

Named after the Pro Football Hall-of-Famer, the John Mackey Award is presented annually to the nation's top tight end by the Nassau County Sports Commission in December.

Gill, a graduate of Belle Vernon Area High School, started all 12 games last year and had 25 receptions for 433 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 17.3 yards per catch.

Gill made history in last year's 43-14 victory over South Florida when he caught an 80-yard touchdown pass, the longest reception ever by a Pitt tight end. He also caught six passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' 41-38 victory over Notre Dame last season.

Gill enters his final season having played in every game over the last three years (38), the only Pitt offensive player to hold such a distinction.

The 2005 John Mackey Award Preseason Candidates

Dominique Byrd, USC

Daniel Coats, BYU

Vernon Davis, Maryland

Tim Day, Oregon

Anthony Fasano, Notre Dame

Erik Gill, Pittsburgh

Ryan Hamby, Ohio State

Clark Harris, Rutgers

Matt Herian, Nebraska

Joe Klopfenstein, Colorado

Marcedes Lewis, UCLA

Tim Massaquoi, Michigan

Zach Miller, Arizona State

Joe Newton, Oregon

Ben Patrick, Duke

Leonard Pope, Georgia

Martin Rucker, Missouri

Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan

David Thomas, Texas

T.J. Williams, NC State