LOGAN, Utah - Utah State's Wyatt Houston has been named to the 2016 John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List, it was announced Wednesday by the organization.

The senior tight end from Tualatin, Ore., was one of 30 players, including two from the Mountain West, named to the midseason watch list. San José State senior Billy Freeman joined Houston on the list.

Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, the award recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. The winner will be announced on Dec. 7 and then honored the following day at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show, which will air on ESPNU.

Semifinalists for the John Mackey Award will be announced on Nov. 14 and finalists will be announced just eight days later.

Houston, who is the only tight end from the Beehive State tabbed to the midseason watch list, was one of 45 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players named to the initial John Mackey Award Watch List, which was announced July 6.

Prior to the start of the season, Houston was also named a preseason fourth-team all-Mountain West selection by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.

Through the first six games of the season, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Houston is tied for third on the team in receptions with 17 for 162 yards and a touchdown. He has caught a pass in a team-leading 12 straight games.

For his career, Houston has appeared in 40 games, including making 23 starts, and caught 68 passes for 764 yards (11.2 ypc) and eight touchdowns. He ranks tied for second all-time in school history for touchdowns by a tight end, along with Aubrey Thompson (1992-93), trailing Chris Cooley (2000-03), who has 11 TDs.

The John Mackey Award, which has been presented since 2000, recognizes 14 alumni that have played in the NFL, including two-time Super Bowl champion Daniel Graham and 2006 Super Bowl champion Dallas Clark.

Houston and the Aggies (2-4, 0-3 Mountain West) have their first and only bye of the season this weekend before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 22, when they welcome Fresno State to Merlin Olsen Field at Maverik Stadium. The game is slated to kick off at 8:30 p.m. and can be seen live on the CBS Sports Network.

For Aggie football ticket information, fans can contact the USU Athletics Ticket Office over the phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or 435-797-0305 during regular hours of operation. Fans can also buy their tickets in person at the USU Ticket Office inside the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or online by clicking on the "Buy Tickets" tab at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on Facebook at Utah State Football, as well as on Instagram at instagram.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.