The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 5/5 Football’s Helm named John Mackey Award semifinalist
11.05.2024 | Football
The senior tight end was selected one of eight semifinalists for the John Mackey Award, which is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end as voted on by the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football senior tight end Gunnar Helm has been recognized as a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award, The Friends of John Mackey announced Tuesday afternoon. The award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end as voted on by the John Mackey Award Selection Committee.
The Englewood, Colo., product is one of eight tight ends tabbed as semifinalists. It's the first time Helm has been named a candidate for the award and marks the third-consecutive year in which a Longhorn tight end has been lauded as a semifinalist. Former Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was selected as a semifinalist for the award in 2022 and 2023.
A fourth-year tight end on the Forty Acres, Helm has appeared in 47 games with 18 starts. Starting all eight games in 2024, Helm has been a weapon in the UT offense and leads the team in both receptions with 31 and receiving yards with 419. Helm has also hauled in two touchdown receptions while averaging 13.5 yards per catch this season. Among Southeastern Conference tight ends, Helm ranks second in receiving yards and third in receptions.
Helm earned the East-West Shrine Bowl's "Texas Star of the Week" and honorable mention praise from the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award on Sept. 10 following a career-best performance in Texas' 31-12 road win at No. 10/9 Michigan on Sept. 7. In the victory at the Big House, Helm set career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (98) to go along with a 21-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Helm averaged 14 yards per catch, tallied 45 yards after catch and recorded three 20+ yard receptions. In the Longhorn victory vs. No. 18/16 Oklahoma on Oct. 12, he pulled in five passes for a team-high 91 yards and a score. Last time out, he had four receptions for 46 yards in the 27-24 road win at No. 25/25 Vanderbilt on Oct. 26.
The award is named for NFL Hall of Fame member John Mackey, who is considered to be one of the best to have played the tight end position. Mackey was a role model on and off the field as demonstrated by his Super Bowl Championship, his commitment to community and his place in history as the first President of the NFLPA.
The John Mackey Award Selection Committee will announce three finalists on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The winner will be announced Thursday, Dec. 12, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Helm and No. 5/5 Texas host the Florida Gators at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 9, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call.
