Jace Amaro’s exclusion from Mackey Award consideration dates back to the 2012 season, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro has racked up 56 catches for 742 yards and three touchdowns during the Red Raiders’ 7-0 start.

No other tight end in America has more than 31 catches or 532 yards.

The John Mackey Award, given annually to college football’s top tight end, released its 29-man watch list on Oct. 15. Amaro was not included.

The previous coaching staff led by Tommy Tuberville informed the Mackey Award committee that Amaro should be considered only as a wide receiver, the source told FOX Sports Southwest.

This season, coach Kliff Kingsbury has used Amaro in a three-point stance on occasion, and Amaro, a junior, is considered one of the top prospects in the 2014 NFL Draft class at his position. Both are considered when the Mackey Award designates between receivers and tight ends.

The awards committee declined to allow Amaro to be reclassified as a tight end in 2013.

Amaro caught 25 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns in 2012, but missed most of the second half of the season with a Grade III lacerated spleen.

His eligibility for the Mackey Award has not been affected by two previous incidents, the source said.

Amaro was suspended for the first half of Texas Tech’s season opener against SMU for punching a defender in the Red Raiders’ bowl win over Minnesota. He was also arrested in March 2012 after using a friend’s credit card on about $100 in drinks. No charges were field from that incident.

“It was just a big mixup. It got kind of blown out of proportion,” Amaro told FOX Sports Southwest earlier this month. “It helped me, because I realized how quickly everything can be taken away from you.”

The Mackey Award is scheduled to release its list of semifinalists on Nov. 18.