Mordecai, Rice On Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mordecai, Rice Named To Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

TYLER, Texas (SPORTyler/SMU) – SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai and wide receiver Rashee Rice were named candidates on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, announced by SPORTyler and the Tyler Chamber of Commerce.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award 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. A player does not have to appear on the initial Watch List to be eligible to win the award.

A senior from Waco, Texas, Mordecai is also a candidate for the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien and Walter Camp Awards. In addition, Mordecai was named to All-American Athletic Conference preseason teams by Phil Steele, Dave Campbell's and Athlon Sports, is a Pro Football Focus Top 50 Quarterback, coming in at No. 20, and is on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List.

A returning semifinalist for the award, Mordecai threw for 3,628 yards (12th NCAA) and a school-record 39 touchdowns (5th NCAA) in 2021, while his 41 total TDs responsible for were also a program record. His 308 completions ranked second at SMU, while his 454 attempts were ninth. In all, he posted eight 300-yard games and five games with 4+ passing TDs and six with 4+ total TDs.

He also ranked in the top 10 nationally and led the conference in points responsible for (248, 6th NCAA), points responsible for per game (20.7, 6th NCAA), completions per game (25.67, 8th NCAA), passing yards per game (302.3, 10th NCAA) and total offense (319.2, 10th NCAA).

Hailing from North Richland Hills, Rice was listed on All-American Athletic Conference preseason teams by Phil Steele, Dave Campbell's, College Football News and Athlon Sports. He was ranked No. 50 on DCTF's Lone Star List and No. 8 on CFN'S top AAC players list. Rice is also on the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List.

Rice posted an impressive junior campaign, starting all 12 games and leading the Mustangs with 64 catches and nine TDs (3rd AAC), while his 670 yards were second (10th AAC). Rice Averaged 55.8 yards per game (10th AAC) and 5.3 receptions per game (6th AAC). He opened the 2021 season with a touchdown reception in five straight games.

The Watch List will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to 5 finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 11.