Allen Wins John Mackey Award

Dec. 8, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson junior tight end Dwayne Allen was the recipient of the John Mackey Award Thursday evening at the Home Depot College Football Awards show in Orlando, FL. Allen is the first Clemson offensive player to win a national position award. Allen won the award over finalists Tyler Eifert of Notre Dame and Orson Charles of Georgia.

The Clemson tight end had 48 receptions for 577 yards and eight touchdowns this year in helping the Tigers to their first ACC Championship in 20 years. His reception total, reception yards and touchdowns were Clemson single season records for a tight end. He had two touchdown receptions in the ACC Championship game against Virginia Tech, helping the Tigers to a 38-10 victory.

“This is a great honor,” said Dwayne Allen. “This is a dream come true. Ever since I found out there was an award for the best tight end it has been a goal to win the John Mackey award.

“I want to thank Head Coach Dabo Swinney, my position coach Danny Pearman, offensive coordinator Chad Morris and all of my teammates. They have all had a great impact on our success this year and they are the reason I am here (in Orlando) tonight.

His two touchdown catches gave him one more than former Pittsburgh Steeler great Bennie Cunningham had in 1974 when he was named a first-team All-American. Allen now has 12 touchdown receptions for his career, tied for first in school history with another former Steeler tight end, John McMakin.

Allen is the third Clemson player to win a national position award. In 1982, Terry Kinard was named CBS National Defensive Player of the Year. Last year Da’Quan Bowers won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in the nation, and won the Ted Hendricks Award as the top defensive end.