The 2011 college football season is nearly upon us, but the season for preseason watch lists is already in full swing. And the 2011 Mackey Award watch list has singled out 33 of the nation's top tight ends.

Syracuse's Nick Provo is one of them.

Provo had 33 receptions in 2010, good for fifth overall on the team. He also accrued 365 receiving yards, good for fourth on the team. Nick also scored one touchdown. His 32 catches rank second on SU’s single season receptions by a tight end list. In other words, he's earned his spot on the list.

The Big East blog considers Provo a big reason the Orange are ranked highly in the conference at tight end.

The Mackey Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding tight end, was instituted in 2001 and is named after former Syracuse tight end John Mackey. The Midseason Watch List will be released October 17th.