Eastern Michigan Athletics
Long Lands on John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List
8/5/2026 9:26:00 PM | Football
Tight end becomes first Eagle recognized by the prestigious award since Thomas Odukoya
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Eastern Michigan University tight end Joshua Long (Los Angeles, Calif./Loyola/El Camino CC) has been named to the 2026 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, the Friends of John Mackey announced Wednesday, Aug. 5. The award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding collegiate tight end.
Long is one of 43 players nationally selected to the preseason watch list and one of only two Mid-American Conference representatives, joining Kent State's Terik Mulder.
The honor marks the first time an Eastern Michigan player has appeared on the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List since Thomas Odukoya earned recognition in each season from 2019 through 2021.
Long made an immediate impact during his first season in Ypsilanti in 2025, earning All-MAC honors while emerging as one of the conference's top receiving tight ends. He started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in and finished with 37 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns. He became the first EMU tight end to receive all-conference recognition since Odukoya was named Third Team All-MAC in 2021.
Long ranked second on the team in both receptions and touchdown catches while finishing third in receiving yards. He opened his EMU career with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown at Texas State before setting career highs for receiving yards in each of the next two contests with 32 against Long Island and 45 at Kentucky. He later recorded a career-best performance against Northern Illinois, hauling in five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
One of the offense's most consistent targets throughout the season, Long recorded at least two receptions in all 12 games and caught three or more passes in eight contests.
Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the John Mackey Award recognizes the nation's premier tight end while honoring the legacy of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey. The award celebrates excellence on the field along with leadership, character, academic achievement, and sportsmanship. Named after one of football's greatest tight ends, the award continues to recognize student-athletes who exemplify the standards Mackey established throughout his Hall of Fame career.
The recipient of the 2026 John Mackey Award will be announced in December as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Finalists will be revealed later during the regular season.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
Long is one of 43 players nationally selected to the preseason watch list and one of only two Mid-American Conference representatives, joining Kent State's Terik Mulder.
The honor marks the first time an Eastern Michigan player has appeared on the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List since Thomas Odukoya earned recognition in each season from 2019 through 2021.
Long made an immediate impact during his first season in Ypsilanti in 2025, earning All-MAC honors while emerging as one of the conference's top receiving tight ends. He started 10 of the 12 games he appeared in and finished with 37 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns. He became the first EMU tight end to receive all-conference recognition since Odukoya was named Third Team All-MAC in 2021.
Long ranked second on the team in both receptions and touchdown catches while finishing third in receiving yards. He opened his EMU career with three receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown at Texas State before setting career highs for receiving yards in each of the next two contests with 32 against Long Island and 45 at Kentucky. He later recorded a career-best performance against Northern Illinois, hauling in five receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
One of the offense's most consistent targets throughout the season, Long recorded at least two receptions in all 12 games and caught three or more passes in eight contests.
Established in 2000 by the Nassau County Sports Commission, the John Mackey Award recognizes the nation's premier tight end while honoring the legacy of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey. The award celebrates excellence on the field along with leadership, character, academic achievement, and sportsmanship. Named after one of football's greatest tight ends, the award continues to recognize student-athletes who exemplify the standards Mackey established throughout his Hall of Fame career.
The recipient of the 2026 John Mackey Award will be announced in December as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards. Finalists will be revealed later during the regular season.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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