Cal TE Ray Hudson named to John Mackey Award watch list

California Golden Bears tight end Raymond Hudson has been a tight end all of one offseason with Cal, and he’s already making preseason watch lists. Hudson made the John Mackey Award watch list, honoring college football’s best tight end.

More from Hudson at CalBears.com.

"I am honored to be on the watch list for the John Mackey Award," Hudson said. "It is a great privilege to represent the University of California."

Justin Wilcox’s desire to have more tight ends involved in the offense.

Hudson is the first Cal tight end to make the Mackey Award watch list since Richard Rodgers in 2012, the year prior to Sonny Dykes becoming the head coach. Cal did not utilize tight ends in their offense in the Bear Raid offense, instead relying on inside wide receivers.

Hudson spent most of his first three seasons with Cal football as the inside wide receiver, grabbing catches from Jared Goff and Davis Webb. Hudson has compiled 34 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns. Hudson caught all three touchdowns his junior season, with 16 catches for 165 yards.