SMU tight end Randy Pittman Jr. enters 2026 with national recognition after producing 208 receiving yards and five total touchdowns last season.
Randy Pittman Jr. hasn’t played a snap for SMU yet, but the new Mustangs tight end is already generating national attention.
Pittman was named Wednesday to the 2026 John Mackey Award preseason watch list, placing the Florida State transfer among the country’s top tight ends entering the new college football season.
For an SMU program looking to remain near the top of the ACC, Pittman could become one of the most versatile weapons on the roster.
The senior earned All-ACC Honorable Mention recognition at Florida State last season after catching 23 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns.
He also scored three times as a runner, giving him five total touchdowns and showing why SMU’s coaching staff could use him in far more ways than a traditional tight end.
Pittman can operate from the slot, line up in the backfield, work underneath against linebackers or become a physical red-zone target.
That versatility should give the Mustangs another creative option in an offense that has consistently been willing to attack defenses with pace, spacing and matchup problems.
His most memorable performance at Florida State showed exactly how unusual his skill set can be. Pittman became only the third player in Seminoles history to score a rushing touchdown, throw a touchdown pass and catch a touchdown in the same game.
That’s not standard tight end production. It’s the kind of unpredictable playmaking that can force defenses to prepare for far more than what appears on a conventional depth chart.
The John Mackey Award has honored college football’s most outstanding tight end since 2000. Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer John Mackey, the award is considered the premier individual honor for the position.
Pittman will still need to increase his receiving production to become a serious finalist. His 23 catches and 208 yards were solid, but the nation’s elite tight ends often command significantly larger roles in their offenses.
SMU could provide him with that opportunity.
The Mustangs didn’t add Pittman simply to serve as an extra blocker or occasional safety valve. They landed an experienced ACC playmaker who has already proven he can score as a receiver, runner and even a passer.
Now Pittman has a chance to turn his versatility into a breakout season and help SMU make another statement on the national stage.
