Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis named to Mackey Award watch list for 2022

One of the players that has the chance to benefit the most from an offseason of turnover and draft declarations is tight end Brayden Willis.

Willis split time at H-back/tight end with Jeremiah Hall and Austin Stogner as part of a platoon that Lincoln Riley would roll out in 2021. With Hall now in the NFL and Stogner with South Carolina, a huge opportunity has presented itself to the senior tight end.

Following Dillon Gabriel, Marvin Mims, and Eric Gray’s additions to preseason watch lists, Brayden Willis was named to the Mackey Award watch list for 2022. Mark Andrews is the only Oklahoma Sooners tight end to win the annual award.

Willis received just 20 targets in 2021 but turned that into 14 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns. No reception was bigger than this one just before halftime in Bedlam.

With the Sooners trailing by seven with under a minute to play in the first half, Willis got one-on-one coverage on the outside and beat his man into the end zone on the fade route for the touchdown. It was a beautiful throw by Caleb Williams and a beautiful catch by Willis for the touchdown.

He’s shown to be an impact blocker in the running game and has the hands to be a fantastic weapon in the passing game. If he and Dillon Gabriel can build off of this highlight from spring practice, Brayden Willis will be one of the breakout stars for the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners.

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Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire