111415_SPT_UMvsIU_MRM_36.JPG

Michigan senior Jake Butt was named to the John Mackey Award preseason watch list for the nation's top tight end.

(Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News)

ANN ARBOR - Michigan's Jake Butt decided to return for his senior season and, not surprisingly, was recognized as one of the top tight ends in the country.

Butt, who could have left for the NFL draft, on Wednesday was named to the 2016 John Mackey Award preseason watch list for the "most outstanding collegiate tight end." The 2015 Big Ten tight end of the year is one of 45 players on the list, including six from the conference. Nebraska's Cethan Carter, Penn State's Mike Gesicki, Iowa's George Kittle, Minnesota's Brandon Lingen and Michigan State's Josiah Price were also named to the watch list. Eastern Michigan's Cody Tuttle was also placed on the list.

Butt was named one of eight semifinalists for the award last year but not selected as one of three finalists as Arkansas' Hunter Henry won the award.

The 2016 John Mackey Award winner will be announced on Dec. 7 and presented the following day during the Home Depot College Football Awards.

Butt, 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, had 51 receptions for 654 yards and three touchdowns last season and was a second-team All-American. On Tuesday he, along with Michigan senior receiver Jehu Chesson, were named to the Maxwell Award watch list for the best player in the country.

Michigan junior Mason Cole on Wednesday was named to the latest Rimington Trophy watch list for the nation's top center. Cole, 6-5 and 305 pounds, who is moving from left tackle to center this season, was one of 57 players on the Rimington spring watch list in May and is one of 62 on the new list.

-- Follow MLive's Michigan coverage on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

-- Subscribe to "The Wolverine Beat" podcast on iTunes