TYLER, Texas — UTSA sophomore running back Sincere McCormick has been named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, which was unveiled Wednesday.
McCormick, a sophomore from Converse Judson High School, is one of 47 players on this year's watch list for the award, which recognizes 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.
McCormick burst onto the scene last fall, collecting Freshman All-America accolades from the Football Writers Association of America and Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors after breaking a pair of school records. He took down the program's single-season all-purpose yardage standard with 1,177 and also eclipsed the single-game rushing yardage mark with 189 in the win at UTEP.
McCormick finished the year with 983 yards and eight touchdowns on 177 carries, an average of 5.6 yards per attempt and 81.9 yards per game. A 2019 honorable mention all-conference pick, he established UTSA freshman records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, rushing TDs, rushing yards per attempt and rushing yards per game
The watch list will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists and then to no more than five finalists. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. A winner will be announced at the end of the season. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be eligible to win the award.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was introduced 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 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.
UTSA will open the Jeff Traylor era next Saturday, Sept. 12, when it renews the I-35 Rivalry with Texas State in San Marcos. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
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