Dallin Holker putting together strong case for Mackey Award

Dallin Holker has been an absolute difference maker for Colorado State this season. 

Through just six games on the year, Holker has already racked up 39 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns. Since transferring over from BYU, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound junior tight end has legitimately been one of the most impactful players in the country.

Among FBS tight ends, Holker trails only Georgia’s Brock Bowers in total receptions (41) and receiving yards (567). Impressively, they’re the only tight ends in the top 50 for either category.

As far as touchdown receptions go, Holker currently trails Oregon State’s Jack Velling (7). However, when it comes to total receptions (16) and receiving yards (223), Velling’s impact has not come close to Holker’s. Being fair to the Oregon State standout, though, there are very few individuals that are as versatile as CSU’s superstar. 

A lot of tight ends are dangerous in the Red Zone. And in the modern game, there are quite a few that can be used more like wide receivers to attack the defense up the seam. There are very few guys like Holker that can do it all though.   

If the Rams are backed up deep in their own territory and just need to create a little bit of space with a quick hitter underneath, Holker is an option.

If it’s third and medium at midfield, with the Rams desperately needing a big conversion to keep the drive alive, go to Holker.

Hell, just looking at this season alone, we’ve already seen him score a touchdown from three different people — all in huge spots, too.

Tory Horton threw Holker a 30-yard TD against Colorado on a trick play to get the offense going in Boulder.

Giles Pooler threw him a TD on a fake field-goal attempt in the win over Middle Tennessee State.

And obviously Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has thrown him the other four scores, none of which were more thrilling than Saturday’s game-winning catch against Boise State.

Looking at the current national landscape, it’s time to start talking about Holker’s strong case as a top candidate for the 2023 John Mackey Award. 

With Brock Bowers reportedly out for 4-6 weeks and the presumed frontrunner for the prestigious award now likely out of the mix, Holker has easily been the most consistently impactful tight end in college football this fall. 

The fact that he’s had multiple highlight plays in prominent games should help his cause. Having some recognizability on a national level is massively important when it comes to the national awards. 

Not to mention that when you compare Holker’s numbers through six games to the last two winners at this stage of the year, the production is right on par, if not better. Halfway through the 2022 season, Bowers had 22 catches for 378 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Through the first half of the 2021 campaign, Trey McBride had 49 catches for 593 yards and one score. 

Assuming that Holker is able to relatively keep this pace over the remainder of the year, it feels safe to say that by the time December rolls around, the versatile pass-catcher will at the very least be a finalist for the Mackey Award. But especially now with the Bowers injury, it really does feel like it could be Holker’s award to lose. 

Seeing Trey McBride take home the honor in 2021 was a really special moment in program history. If Holker manages to do the same this season, that would be a massive accomplishment for a school in the Mountain West. It would be a tremendous selling point on the recruiting trail as well. If you come to CSU and perform at an elite level, people do notice you on a national level. 

Start the campaign, Ram Nation. Holker for Mackey 2023.