MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 19, 2015) – West Virginia University junior quarterback Skyler Howard has been named to the third annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, today, as announced by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas at its 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 no more than 16 semifinalists in November and then down to five 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 13, 2016.
Howard played in four games last year, including starting the final two, as a sophomore in 2014. He took over the signal caller duties in the second half of the Kansas State game when subbing in for an injured Clint Trickett and completed the season as the starter. He completed 56-of-110 passes for 829 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. His top performance was against 346 yards and three touchdowns against Texas A&M in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
This year’s Watch List (complete list at the bottom) includes:
* 39 players from 10 different conferences including 1 independent ( ACC, AAC, Big Ten, Big 12, C-USA, MWC, Pac 12, SEC, Sunbelt)
* Players representing Universities from 18 different states and 31 schools
* Wide receivers lead the nominations with 11, followed by quarterbacks (10), running backs (9), offensive linemen (5), tailbacks (2), tight ends (1), halfback (1)
* TCU Quarterback Trevone Boykin, last year’s award recipient, is again on the Watch List; along with last year finalists Ohio State Quarterback J.T. Barrett, and Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine.
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 Texas Longhorns under legendary Coach Darrell K. Royal. In his senior year, he led the nation with 1744 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.
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Nominations for 2015 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
Athlete
Cayleb Jones
William McGehee
Ellis Jefferson
Seth Russell
Corey Coleman
Shane Williams-Rhodes
Tejan Koroma
Jeromy Irwin
Rashard Higgins
Isaiah Jones
Kenneth Farrow
Greg Ward
Daxx Garman
Rodrick Williams Jr. Minnesota
Fred Ross
Russell Hansbrough
Tommy Armstrong Jr. Nebraska
Larry Rose III New Mexico State
Dontre Wilson
J.T. Barrett
Samaje Perine
Storm Barr-Woods
Cameron Cermin
Driphus Jackson
Aaron Green
Trevone Boykin
Josh Doctson
Josh Reynolds
Johnathan Gray
DeAndre Washington
Keevan Lucas
Keyarris Garrett
Dane Evans
Jake Brendel
Chuckie Keeton
Aaron Jones
David Morgan, II
Dezmond Wortham
Skyler Howard
Press Release courtesy WVU Athletic Communication
Featured Photo courtesy USA Today Sports
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