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TYLER, Texas —UTSA senior Jalen Rhodes has been named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, which was unveiled Tuesday at the annual East Texas Kickoff Luncheon.
Rhodes is a one of 47 players selected to the watch list for the award, which recognizes annually the top offensive player in Division I 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.
Rhodes, a 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back, has rushed for 1,728 yards and 17 touchdowns on 349 carries during his UTSA career. The Rowlett, Texas, native holds school records for single-game (3) and single-season (9) rushing touchdowns and he needs just 666 yards to become the program's all-time leader rusher.
Last fall, Rhodes led the Roadrunners with 659 rushing yards and five scores and he also caught 15 passes for 136 yards and a TD. He rushed for a career-best 174 yards and two touchdowns, including a season-long 67-yard dash, on 15 carries (11.6 avg.) in the 44-14 victory at Texas State last September. He also topped the century mark with 103 yards in the 17-10 season-opening win at Baylor.
Rhodes, who also is an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominee and Wuerffel Trophy watch list member, is heavily involved in several community service projects. He is a regular contributor to UTSA's Rowdy Readers program, where he visits local elementary schools to read to children. He also has traveled to local schools to speak to youth about his experience as a student-athlete and doing well in school. Rhodes participated in UTSA's Spring 18 Day of Service, which entailed prep work for rehab of homes in a neighborhood near downtown San Antonio.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was initiated in 2012 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler. The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Selection Committee will be comprised of broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be eligible to win the award. The watch list is made up of players nominated from their respective schools.
The watch list will be narrowed to no more than 16 semifinalists in November and five finalists in December. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 9, 2019.
Earl Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler before playing for Texas under legendary head 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 three times. Campbell earned NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He now resides in Austin.
"We are fortunate to have a celebrity who exhibits the impeccable virtues that define this award," Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler's Executive Director, 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."
For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to earlcampbellaward.com.
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