Texas Tech University Athletics
Three Red Raiders named to Tyler Rose watch list
August 17, 2023 | Football
TYLER, Texas – Texas Tech's Tyler Shough, Tahj Brooks and Jerand Bradley were each named to the 2023 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, revealed by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler on Thursday.
The annual award, which has direct ties with the state of Texas, will be presented to the nation's most outstanding Division I college offensive player who meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. Born in Texas; 2. Graduated from a Texas high school; or 3. Played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.
The winner must also exhibit the enduring characteristics of the trophy's namesake, Earl Campbell, defined by including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, community, and tenacity – specifically tenacity to persist, drive, and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
All three are returning starters at their respective positions, Shough – quarterback, Brooks – running back, and Bradley – wide receiver. Each is expected to flourish under second-year offensive coordinator Zach Kittley's high-tempo offense. Texas Tech's high-tempo offense led the FBS with 1,094 total plays and 84.2 offensive plays per game. The Texas Tech single-season record for total plays is 1,155 which was set in 2002 when the Red Raiders averaged 81.7 offensive plays per game over 14 contests (including a bowl game).
All three met the Rose Award criteria to be selected for the watch list in 2023 by being a member of a four-year college in the state of Texas. Brooks and Bradley met all three criteria as stated by the awards committee.
The watch list announced on Thursday will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.
This year's watch list includes:
About the 11th Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
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 go to earlcampbellaward.com or contact Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce: csmoak@tylertexas.com or 903-595-7226.
Previous Winners
Bryce Petty (2013), Trevone Boykin (2014), Greg Ward, Jr. (2015), D'Onta Foreman (2016), Baker Mayfield (2017) Kyler Murray (2018), J.K. Dobbins (2019), Kyle Trask (2020), Bailey Zappe (2021) and Max Duggan (2022).
The annual award, which has direct ties with the state of Texas, will be presented to the nation's most outstanding Division I college offensive player who meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. Born in Texas; 2. Graduated from a Texas high school; or 3. Played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.
The winner must also exhibit the enduring characteristics of the trophy's namesake, Earl Campbell, defined by including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, community, and tenacity – specifically tenacity to persist, drive, and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
All three are returning starters at their respective positions, Shough – quarterback, Brooks – running back, and Bradley – wide receiver. Each is expected to flourish under second-year offensive coordinator Zach Kittley's high-tempo offense. Texas Tech's high-tempo offense led the FBS with 1,094 total plays and 84.2 offensive plays per game. The Texas Tech single-season record for total plays is 1,155 which was set in 2002 when the Red Raiders averaged 81.7 offensive plays per game over 14 contests (including a bowl game).
All three met the Rose Award criteria to be selected for the watch list in 2023 by being a member of a four-year college in the state of Texas. Brooks and Bradley met all three criteria as stated by the awards committee.
The watch list announced on Thursday will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 10, 2024.
This year's watch list includes:
- 69 players from 10 conferences and one independent (American, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Conference USA, MAC, Mountain West, Pac-12, SEC, and Sun Belt)
- Players representing universities from 30 different states and 59 schools.
- Wide receivers and quarterbacks lead the nominations with 22 each, followed by running backs (16), offensive linemen (5) and tight ends (4).
About the 11th Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
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 go to earlcampbellaward.com or contact Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce: csmoak@tylertexas.com or 903-595-7226.
Previous Winners
Bryce Petty (2013), Trevone Boykin (2014), Greg Ward, Jr. (2015), D'Onta Foreman (2016), Baker Mayfield (2017) Kyler Murray (2018), J.K. Dobbins (2019), Kyle Trask (2020), Bailey Zappe (2021) and Max Duggan (2022).
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