Austin Seferian-Jenkins Named SI Pre-Season All-American

Nov 10, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins (88) fights off the tackle by Utah Utes defensive back Reggie Topps (28) during the 2nd half at CenturyLink Field. Washington defeated Utah 34-15. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

So many hyphens in that title. It was unavoidable. Anyway, ASJ has been named to the Sports Illustrated All-American 1st team at tight end, which seems to indicate that the national media is ready to give the 6’6″ 270+ pound tight end the attention and respect his deserves. I don’t mean to say that there has been any shortage of love for him this pre-season, that would be silly. But last season, despite putting up statistics superior to any other tight end in the nation, ASJ was somehow placed 3rd in the John Mackey Award voting.

This season with award winner Tyler Eifert and the runner-up Zach Ertz gone, there is no more denying ASJ credit based on Washington’s struggles as a program. If he equals or, most likely, improves upon his 69 catches for 852 yards and 7 touchdowns, it’s almost certain that he will be the best tight end in the country, that he will win the John Mackey award, and that he will go early in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. If he declares for the draft a year early, that is. He has said on numerous occasions that he plans to play for four full years.

It’s not often that a player’s singular presence at the top of a position’s talent pool is so clear, but that’s the type of player Seferian-Jenkins is. Of course, there is still a chance he could miss the season-opener against Boise State, which would put a slight damper on his season stats (I suppose around 1/12 of his season total), but Coach Sarkisian’s language in interviews and press conferences seems to make it clearer and clearer that ASJ will not be suspended.