August 6, 2026
Kent State redshirt senior tight end Terik Mulder has earned elite national recognition ahead of the 2026 college football season. The National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) announced that Mulder has been named to the prestigious John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, an honor reserved for the most outstanding tight ends in the country.
The John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football’s premier tight end, celebrating excellence on the field, leadership, character, and sportsmanship.
Elite Company in the MAC
Mulder’s inclusion highlights his rising status not just within Kent State’s offense, but across regional football. He is one of only two Mid-American Conference (MAC) players to make the watch list this season, alongside Eastern Michigan’s Joshua Long.
Already named a Phil Steele Preseason All-MAC Second Team selection for 2026, Mulder enters the season with high expectations to anchor the Golden Flashes’ passing game under the coaching staff.
A Breakout Campaign
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound target from Lexington, Kentucky, earned his spot on the national radar after a highly efficient 2025 season. Emerging as a reliable red-zone threat, Mulder logged 19 receptions for 198 yards and a team-high four touchdowns.
Demonstrating incredible consistency, his four touchdowns came in four separate contests, highlighted by a season-long 50-yard touchdown strike against Buffalo. Film analysts have praised Mulder for his versatile route-running and ability to impact matchups from multiple line-of- scrimmage alignments.
Award Timeline
The Nassau County Sports Commission will monitor watch list candidates throughout the fall. A midseason watch list will be trimmed to a group of semifinalists and finalists before the official winner is announced in December as part of The Home Depot College Football Awards.
With the Golden Flashes kicking off their schedule shortly, all eyes will be on number 89 to see if he can carry this preseason momentum into a historic senior season.
