Pinkney Accolades Grow

The Sporting News names tight end as first team All-American

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ­– Preseason accolades continue to grow for Jared Pinkney, with the Vanderbilt tight end earning first team All-America recognition from the Sporting News.

Pinkney, from Norcross, Georgia, is one of eight Southeastern Conference standouts named on The Sporting News’ preseason squad.

The Sporting News listing adds to a growing list of preseason accolades for Pinkney. The senior also earned third team All-America recognition from Phil Steele and All-SEC status from Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and Lindy’s.

Pinkney also becomes the second Commodore to garner preseason All-America attention. Senior running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn was listed first team All-America by Athlon Sports. Pinkney, Vaughn and senior wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb has attracted widespread preseason all-conference recognition.

Pinkney enters his final year with 94 career receptions, 1,327 receiving yards and 12 touchdown catches, all tops nationally among tight ends.

In 2018, Pinkney was a two-time recipient of John Mackay Tight End of the Week honors while putting together the best season by a Vanderbilt tight end since the mid-1980s.

Pinkney’s 774 receiving yards from a year ago is the most of any active tight end in college football. His 50 receptions and seven touchdowns from 2018 rank second and third, respectively, among active tight ends.

Pinkney and the Commodores open the year Aug. 31 on campus, hosting nationally ranked SEC East foe Georgia. Kickoff for the opener is at 6:30 p.m.

Besides Georgia, Vanderbilt’s home schedule includes LSU on Sept. 21, Northern Illinois on Sept. 28, UNLV on Oct. 12, Missouri on Oct. 19, Kentucky on Nov. 16 and East Tennessee State on Nov. 23.

Vanderbilt officials kept 2019 season tickets at the same rates as a year ago. Season-ticket packages for the Commodores’ seven-game home schedule starts at only $308 for premium sideline seats and $178 for reserve end zone sections of Vanderbilt Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here.