The Sports Inquirer

Release from Georgia State Athletics:

Georgia State senior tight end Joel Ruiz continues to garner national attention with his selection to the 2015 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, announced Wednesday by the Friends of John Mackey.

Ruiz, 6-4 and 240 pounds, transferred to Georgia State from Presbyterian and made an immediate impact in 2014 with 39 receptions for 478 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

In his first game in a Georgia State uniform, Ruiz caught seven passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 2014 season-opening win over Abilene Christian and was named John Mackey Tight End of the Week.

He was then named to the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List — the first Panther ever named to a watch list for a major award — as well as second-team All-Sun Belt Conference.

Entering 2015, the Kingsland, Ga., native has been named to preseason all-conference teams by every preseason publication, including Lindy’s, Athlon, The Sporting News and Phil Steele.

Last week, Ruiz was ranked among the top five senior tight end prospects for the 2016 National Football League draft by ESPN football analyst Mel Kiper Jr.

The John Mackey Award is given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end. The 2015 John Mackey recipient will be announced on December 9, 2015 and then presented live on December 10, 2015 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.

Georgia State opens the 2015 season by hosting Charlotte on Friday, Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m. at the Georgia Dome