Baylor's Michael Trigg named as frontrunner for prestigious tight end award
Baylor tight end Michael Trigg is finally getting the national recognition his play deserves. The redshirt senior was named the John Mackey Award winner in Pro Football Focus’ midseason awards, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Trigg, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound Tampa native, has been Baylor’s most reliable offensive weapon this season — and one of the most productive tight ends in all of college football.
Through six games, he’s recorded 29 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns, leading all FBS tight ends in receiving yards while ranking among the top three in receptions and touchdowns.
A Midseason Star for Baylor’s Offense
Trigg’s impact has been felt in nearly every game.
He posted 155 yards on eight catches in Baylor’s 35–34 win over Kansas State, including a 41-yard burst after the catch that showcased his strength and agility.
The week before, he caught seven passes for 99 yards against Auburn — a performance that earned him the John Mackey Tight End of the Week award.
According to PFF, Trigg holds an 88.1 overall grade, the highest among all tight ends in college football as of Week 5.
He also ranks second in forced missed tackles (8) and third in Wins Above Average, underlining his combination of toughness, consistency, and value to Baylor’s offense.
From Transfer to Top Target
Trigg’s breakout year is the culmination of a long journey through college football.
After stints at No. 20 USC and No. 5 Ole Miss, he transferred to Baylor in 2024, looking for a fresh start.
He quickly earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in his debut season with 30 catches for 395 yards and three touchdowns, showing glimpses of his star potential.
Now, he’s turned those flashes into full-blown production.
Across his college career, Trigg has 87 receptions for 1,164 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging nearly 14 yards per catch.
His combination of size, catch radius, and route precision has already drawn the attention of NFL scouts, who project him as a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if his production continues.
As Baylor pushes deeper into Big 12 play, Trigg’s emergence gives quarterback Sawyer Robertson a dependable security blanket and a big-play threat rolled into one.
If he maintains his current pace, Trigg could do more than win midseason honors — he might become the first Baylor tight end to take home the official John Mackey Award by year’s end.
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Jalon Dixon is a sports journalist with a passion for covering basketball at every level. He has written extensively on men’s and women’s college basketball, as well as the NBA, building a reputation for clear analysis and thoughtful storytelling. His work focuses on the players, programs, and trends shaping the sport, offering readers insight that goes beyond the box score. Whether breaking down a key matchup or highlighting emerging talent, Jalon’s goal is to provide balanced coverage that connects fans to the game’s strategy, culture, and ongoing evolution.