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PROVO - BYU tight end Dennis Pitta was announced Monday as one of three finalists for the 2009 John Mackey Award, given to the most outstanding tight end in college football.
According to the Nassau County (N.Y.) Sports Commission (NCSC) not only awards outstanding athletic prowess on the field, but also stands for positive sportsmanship, good academic standing and exceptional leadership abilities.
Joining Pitta as finalists are Dorin Dickerson, a senior at Pittsburgh and Aaron Hernandez, a junior at Florida.
| Category | Total | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Yards receiving | 753 | 1st |
| Catches | 55 | 1st |
| Yards per catch | 13.69 | 1st |
| Yards per game | 68.45 | 1st |
| Catches per game | 5.0 | 1st |
| Touchdowns | 7 | 2nd |
Through 11 games this season, Pitta ranks No. 1 in the nation among tight ends for yards receiving (753), total catches (55), yards per catch (13.69), yards per game (68.45) and catches per game (5.0). He is second in touchdowns (7).
Pitta was recently named 2009 midseason first-team All-America by SI.com, CBSSports.com and the Sporting News. On Oct. 7, 2009, he was named John Mackey National Tight End of the Week for his two-touchdown performance against Utah State.
The Moorpark, Calif., native has caught a pass in 41 consecutive games, which ranks fourth in the nation among active FBS players. Pitta also leads all active tight ends nationally with 2,807 career receiving yards.
In 2008, Pitta was named third team All-America by Rivals.com and honorable mention All-America by College Football News and SI.com. He is also a two-time first-team all-Mountain West Conference performer and a two time Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection.
