WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue tight end Payne Durham was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award, honoring the most outstanding collegiate tight end. Making the cut down to nine semifinalists, Durham solidified himself as one of the best tight ends in college football.
Durham has been an important piece of the Purdue offense, hauling in 41 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns to rank second on the team in all three categories. His 41 catches rank fifth in the nation among tight ends, including second in the Big Ten.
In the win over Nebraska (Oct. 15), Durham eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for his career to become just the eighth Purdue tight end to accomplish the feat. The Suwanee, Georgia, native came through in the clutch against Maryland (Oct. 8), catching the go-ahead touchdown pass before rumbling 56 yards to set up another late Purdue touchdown. He made seven catches for 109 yards, both team highs, to record the third 100-yard game of his career and help the Boilermakers earn a B1G road win over the Terrapins.
The redshirt-senior tight end sits into a tie for 10th in program history with 17 receiving touchdowns alongside Jim Beirne (1965-67) and Calvin Williams (1986-89). Durham ranks second in touchdowns by Purdue tight ends, only trailing Dave Young (27, 1977-80).
Durham and the rest of the Boilermakers return to the road this weekend, traveling to Illinois for a B1G divisional matchup. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
2022 John Mackey Award Semifinalists
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Payne Durham, Purdue
Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Sam LaPorta, Iowa
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Caden Prieskorn, Memphis
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
Cade Stover, Ohio State
Darnell Washington, Georgia
Durham has been an important piece of the Purdue offense, hauling in 41 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns to rank second on the team in all three categories. His 41 catches rank fifth in the nation among tight ends, including second in the Big Ten.
In the win over Nebraska (Oct. 15), Durham eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for his career to become just the eighth Purdue tight end to accomplish the feat. The Suwanee, Georgia, native came through in the clutch against Maryland (Oct. 8), catching the go-ahead touchdown pass before rumbling 56 yards to set up another late Purdue touchdown. He made seven catches for 109 yards, both team highs, to record the third 100-yard game of his career and help the Boilermakers earn a B1G road win over the Terrapins.
The redshirt-senior tight end sits into a tie for 10th in program history with 17 receiving touchdowns alongside Jim Beirne (1965-67) and Calvin Williams (1986-89). Durham ranks second in touchdowns by Purdue tight ends, only trailing Dave Young (27, 1977-80).
Durham and the rest of the Boilermakers return to the road this weekend, traveling to Illinois for a B1G divisional matchup. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
2022 John Mackey Award Semifinalists
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Payne Durham, Purdue
Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Sam LaPorta, Iowa
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Caden Prieskorn, Memphis
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas
Cade Stover, Ohio State
Darnell Washington, Georgia