TYLER, Texas – Texas A&M's Malcome Kennedy and Trey Williams were named to the watch list for the 2014 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is given annually to nation's top offensive player with ties to the state of Texas.
Both Kennedy and Williams were key contributors to the Aggies' 2013 offense that led the Southeastern Conference in passing, scoring and total offense. Last season the Aggies set school records for total passing yards (4,593) and passing yards per game (353.3), while just falling shy of school records for points (575) and total yards (6,999).
Kennedy, a senior from Cayuga, Texas, reeled in 60 catches for 658 yards and seven touchdowns. His three touchdown catches against then-top-ranked Alabama were the most against the Crimson Tide defense in well over a decade (since 1999). Among returning receivers in the SEC, only Ole Miss' Laquon Treadwell (72) and Mississippi State's Jameon Lewis (64) had more catches than Kennedy.
Williams, a junior from Spring, Texas, is the Aggies' returning leader in rushing, all-purpose yardage, kickoff return yards and total offense. Williams broke the 1,000-yard barrier in all-purpose yards while rushing for 407 yards and six touchdowns and gaining 706 kickoff return yards (25.2 yards per attempt).
Last year, both quarterback Johnny Manziel and wide receiver Mike Evans were finalists for the award. The 2014 Tyler Rose watch list 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 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)
2014 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Jay Ajayi, Boise State, Running Back, RS/Junior
Ross Apo, Brigham Young Univer, Wide Receiver, Senior
Trevone Boykin, TCU, Quarterback, Junior
Michael Brewer, Virginia Tech, Quarterback, Graduate
Malcolm Brown, Texas, Running Back, Senior
Damon 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 University, 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, Sophomore
Nathan Jeffery, UTEP, Running Back, Senior
Aaron Jones, UTEP, Running Back, Sophomore
Kam Jones, UTSA, Wide Receiver, Senior
Darius Joseph, SMU, Wide Receiver, Junior
Chuckie Keeton, Utah State, Quarterback, Senior
Malcome Kennedy, Texas A&M, Wide Receiver, Senior
Trevor Knight, Oklahoma, Quarterback, RS/Sophomore
Shock Linwood, Baylor University, Running Back, Sophomore
Logan Lister, Rutgers University, Tight End, Freshman
Ty Montgomery, Stanford, Wide Receiver, Senior
Jimmay Mundine, Kansas, Tight End, Graduate
Bryce Petty, Baylor University, Quarterback, Senior
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, Sophomore
DeAndrew White, Alabama, Wide Receiver, Senior
Shane Williams-Rhode, Boise State, Wide Receiver, Junior
Trey Williams, Texas A&M, Running Back, Junior
Dontre Wilson, Ohio State, Half Back, Sophomore
Storm Woods, Oregon State, Running Back, Junior