BETHPAGE, N.Y. — University of Notre Dame junior Tyler Eifert was named to the John Mackey Award preseason watchlist, the Nassau County Sports Commission announced Wednesday.

Eifert was one of 34 players selected to the watch list for the award given annually to college football’s top tight end.

The product of Fort Wayne, Ind. paced all Fighting Irish tight ends in 2010 with 352 receiving yards and he registered 27 receptions, including two touchdowns. Eifert appeared in 11 games, starting eight contests and ranked third on the team in receiving yards and fourth in receptions.

Following the season-ending injury to Kyle Rudolph, Eifert assumed the starting role for the final seven games of the 2010 season. He totaled 26 receptions for 335 yards during that stretch of the season en route to claiming the Notre Dame Offensive Newcomer of the Year award. Only wide receiver Michael Floyd recorded more catches and receiving yards than Eifert over the last seven games of the season.

Eifert continues the tradition of Notre Dame tight ends being recognized by the Mackey Award as the 10-year-old trophy has featured an Irish player on its watch list in five of the last six seasons.

The Mackey Award winner will be announced 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Home Depot ESPN College Football Awards Red Carpet Show.