Five Red Raiders named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list
The annual award, now in its 14th year, is presented to the nation’s most outstanding Division I college offensive player who either played high school football in Texas or currently plays at a four-year Texas college. Candidates must also exhibit characteristics of the award’s namesake, Earl Campbell, including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity — specifically, the tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching their goals.
The watch list will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. The semifinalists and finalists will be selected by a panel of broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous award winners. The winner will be announced in December and celebrated at the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet, scheduled for Jan. 27, 2027, in Tyler, Texas.
2026 Watch List Breakdown:
- 107 players from nine conferences and two independents (American, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Conference USA, Mountain West, Pac-12, SEC, and Sun Belt)
- Players representing Universities from 34 different states and 72 schools.
- Wide Receivers lead the nominations with 36, followed by Running backs (28), Offensive Linemen (16), Quarterbacks (15), Tight ends (10), Fullbacks (1), and Miner back (1).
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,” Cindy Smoak, Executive Director SPORTyler said. “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.”
Earl Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, before joining the 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,” Campbell said. “I kept God in my life and surrounded myself with good people. I am humbled by this award named in my honor.”
For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, visit earlcampbellaward.com.
Release provided by MATT BURKHOLDER Texas Tech Athletics