Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Announced

TYLER, TEXAS - The second annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List was announced today at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas Kickoff Luncheon.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division 1 football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity; specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four year college.

The Watch List announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to 4 finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and the previous winner. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards Banquet scheduled for January 14, 2015.

This year's Watch List (complete list attached) includes:

* 43 players from 9 different conferences including 3 independents (ACC, AAC, Big 10,Big 12, CUSA, MWC, Pac 12, SEC, Sunbelt)

* Players representing Universities from 22 different states

* Wide receivers dominate the nominations with 17, followed by running backs (12), quarterbacks (8), tight ends (3), fullbacks (2), halfback (1)

* Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, last year's award recipient, is again on the Watch List

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was announced in 2012 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler. �We are fortunate to have a celebrity who exhibits the impeccable virtues that define this award. In addition to being a well known sports figure, Earl also earned a college degree, married his high school sweetheart, raised two successful sons, and still supports the community where he grew up,� said Cindy Smoak, Vice President, SPORTyler.

Earl Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler before joining the University of Texas Longhorns under legendary Coach Darrell K. Royal. In his senior year, he led the nation with 1,744 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, going on to win the Longhorns� first Heisman Trophy.

He was subsequently drafted by the Houston Oilers where he won Rookie of the Year honors in 1978 and went on to lead the NFL in rushing 3 times. Campbell earned NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He now resides in Austin.

�All my life, all I wanted to do was be an athlete. I kept God in my life and surrounded myself with good people. I am humbled by this award named in my honor,� said Campbell.

For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to www.earlcampbellaward.com or contact Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce: [email protected].

Full Watch List is attached:

THE EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD 2014 WATCH LIST

Jay Ajayi, Boise State, Running Back/Junior
Ross Apo, BYU, Wide Receiver/Senior
Trevone Boykin, TCU, Quarterback/Junior
Michael Brewer, Virginia Tech, Quarterback/Graduate
Malcolm Brown, Texas, Running Back/SeniorD
amon Bullock, Iowa, Running Back/Senior
Shane Carden, East Carolina, Quarterback/Senior
David Cobb, Minnesota, Running Back/Senior
Noah Copeland, Navy, Fullback/Senior
Devante Davis, UNLV, Wide Receiver/Senior
Keyarris Garrett, Tulsa, Wide Receiver/Junior
Antwan Goodley, Baylor, Wide Receiver/Senior
D.D. Goodson, Colorado, Wide Receiver/Senior
Treyvon Green, Northwestern, Running Back/Senior
Deontay Greenberry, Houston, Wide Receiver/Junior
Nick Harwell, Kansas, Wide Receiver/Senior
Rashard Higgins, Colorado, State Wide Receiver/Soph.
Nathan Jeffrey, UTEP, Running Back/Senior
Aaron Jones, UTEP, Running Back/Soph.
Kam Jones, UTSA, Wide Receiver/Senior
Darius Joseph, SMU, Wide Receiver/Junior
Chuckie Keeton, Utah State, Quarterback/Senior
Malcolme Kennedy, Texas A&M, Wide Receiver/Senior
Trevor Knight, Oklahoma, Quarterback/Sophomore
Shock Linwood, Baylor, Running Back/Sophomore
ogan Lister, Rutgers, Tight End/Freshman
Ty Montgomery, Stanford, Wide Receiver/Senior
Jimmay Mundine, Kansas, Tight End/Graduate
Bryce Petty, Baylor, Quarterback/Senior (2013 Winner)
Adam Roberts, San Diego State, Fullback/Senior
Larry Rose III, New Mexico State, Running Back/Freshman
Jameill Showers, UTEP, Quarterback/Senior
Zachary Swanson, Virginia, Tight End/Senior
Jordan Taylor, Rice, Wide Receiver/Senior
Jordan Thompson, West Virginia, Wide Receiver/Junior
Jamal Turner, Nebraska, Wide Receiver/Senior
Trenton Turrentine, Army, Running Back/Senior
Davis Webb, Texas Tech, Quarterback/Soph.
DeAndrew White, Alabama, Wide Receiver/Senior
Shane Williams-Rhodes, Boise State, Wide Receiver/Junior
Trey Williams, Texas A&M, Running Back/Junior
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State, Halfback/Soph.
Storm Woods, Oregon State, Running Back/Junior