Junior wide receiver Xavier Worthy and sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers of the Texas Football team have been selected for the prestigious Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list, as announced by the organization on Thursday. This recognition marks the first time both players have been included on the preseason watch list.
Worthy's exceptional skills on the field have earned him a place on several other notable preseason watch lists, including the Maxwell Award, Paul Horning Award, Biletnikoff Award, and Walter Camp Player of the Year. Not only that, but he was also the sole unanimous selection for the Preseason All-Big 12 Team by the conference's media representatives. Having played in and started 25 games over the past two years as a wide receiver, the Fresno, Calif. native has amassed an impressive career record of 122 receptions for 1,741 yards and 21 touchdowns. Worthy's 21 touchdown receptions rank third all-time in Texas history, and his 122 career receptions place him at the 14th spot among all Longhorns.
In the 2022 season, Worthy's outstanding performance led to his recognition as a second-team All-Big 12 selection by the coaches and the Associated Press. He finished the season with nine touchdown receptions, ranking first in the conference and 19th nationwide. Additionally, Worthy's 60 receptions tied for fourth in the Big 12, while his 760 receiving yards placed him at fifth in the conference. His average of 58.5 receiving yards per game and 4.6 receptions per game secured him the seventh spot in both categories. Moreover, Worthy also showcased his versatility by serving as Texas' punt returner, averaging an impressive 9.7 yards per return. With his 21 career touchdown receptions, Worthy leads all returning Power 5 players and stands second among FBS receivers.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, named after the esteemed 1977 Heisman Trophy winner and Longhorn Legend Earl Campbell, is presented annually to the top offensive player in the FBS who embodies the enduring characteristics that define Campbell – integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity. To be eligible for the award, players must have been born in Texas, attended a high school in Texas, or attended a Texas junior college or university.
The recently announced watch list will be narrowed down to a maximum of 16 semifinalists in November, and subsequently, up to 5 finalists in December. The semifinalists and finalists will be selected by a panel consisting of broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous award winners. The finalists will then be invited to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet, scheduled for January, where the winner will be announced.
