TYLER, Texas – This year many talented athletes with ties to the state of Texas have emerged as candidates for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. Sixteen Semifinalists have been selected by The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Selection Committee. This year’s candidates include nine quarterbacks, including our 2015 winner, three running backs, and four wide receivers. Seven different conferences are represented. 

 

J. T. Barrett, Ohio State, QB, Jr. - Wichita Falls, Texas  (Rider HS) – Big Ten

Jerod Evans, QB, Virginia Tech, Jr. – Dallas, Texas (Mansfield HS) – Atlantic Coast Conference

D’Onta Foreman, RB, Texas, Jr. – Texas City, Texas (Texas City HS) – Big 12

Ryan Higgins, QB, Louisiana Tech, Sr. – Hutto, Texas (Hutto HS) – Conference USA

Skyler Howard, QB, West Virginia, Sr. – Ft. Worth, Texas (Brewer HS) – Big 12

Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama, Fr. – Channelview, Texas (Channelview HS) – SEC

Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP, Jr. – El Paso, Texas (Burges HS) – Conference USA

Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina, Sr. – Austin, Texas (Stephen F. Austin HS) – American Athletic Conference

Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M, Soph. – Scottsdale, Ariz. (Saguaro HS) – SEC

Patrick Mahomes, II, QB, Texas Tech, Jr. – Whitehouse, Texas (Whitehouse HS) – Big 12

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma, Jr. – Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS) – Big 12

Greg Ward, Jr., QB, Houston, Sr. – Tyler, Texas (John Tyler HS) – American Athletic Conference

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State, Jr. – Stamford, Texas (Stamford HS) – Big 12

Davis Webb, QB, California, Sr. – Prosper, Texas (Prosper HS) – Pac-12

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma, Sr. – Cameron, Texas (Cameron Yoe HS) – Big 12

Rawleigh Williams, III, RB, Arkansas, Soph. – Dallas, Texas (Bishop Lynch HS) - SEC

 

Finalists will be selected from this group and announced on December 7, 2016. The winner will be announced at the award banquet in Tyler, Texas on January 11, 2017.

 

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, 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 D1 Texas college.