July 20, 2018
New York, N.Y.----- Following a breakthrough season as a pass receiver, San Jose State University senior Josh Oliver is one of 64 tight ends named to the 2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List.
Named after the Pro Football Hall Fame legend from the 1960's and early 1970's, who would become the first President of the National Football League Players' Association (NFLPA), the award honors the best tight end in college football.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Oliver caught 35 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown in 2017. He was second on the San Jose State team in number of pass receptions. A two-year starter for the Spartans, he was used more as a blocking tight end his first two seasons and had just seven receptions -- two of them for touchdowns. His first major college touchdown came in San Jose State's victory in the 2015 AutoNation Cure Bowl.
From Paso Robles, Calif., Oliver is a three-time Academic All-Mountain West award recipient and a 2017 Arthur Ashe, Jr. Sports Scholar.
The 2018 John Mackey Award will be announced December 5 and presented live on December 6 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.
Oliver and teammate Bryson Bridges, a senior defensive tackle, will be the two San Jose State players participating in the 2018 Mountain West Football Summit, July 25, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev.