Mordecai, Rice Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalists
TYLER, Texas (SPORTyler/SMU) – SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai and wide receiver Rashee Rice were named semifinalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced by SPORTyler and the Tyler Chamber of Commerce today.
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.
Mordecai, a semifinalist for the second consecutive season, is the SMU career record holder for 300-yard passing games (13) and is in the top 10 for passing yards (4th, 6,706), passing TDs (2nd, 68), TDs responsible for (2nd, 72), completions (6th, 547) and total offense (5th, 7,013). The 2022 season has him ranked third in passing yards (3,628) and fifth in TD passes (29). In his 22 games at SMU, Mordecai has multiple passing TDs in 18.
He ranks in the top 10 nationally for passing TDs (8th, 29), passing yards per game (9th, 307.
and points responsible for per game (10th, 18.6).Mordecai is from Waco, Texas, and attended Midway High School.
Rice, also a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist, leads the nation in receiving yards (1,208) and receiving yards per game (109.
and is fifth in receptions per game (7.5) and 11th in receiving TDs (9). He currently has a streak of 39 straight games with a reception (4th NCAA). Rice posted career highs in receptions (12 at UCF) and yards (193 at Maryland) in 2022. He has three 150+ yard games.The senior has nine career 100-yard games, including five in 2022, and has five multi-TD games, three coming this season.
A native of North Richland Hills, Texas, Rice attended Richland High School.
This is the third time the Mustangs have had at least two semifinalists in the same season, most recently Shane Buechele, Xavier Jones and James Proche were recognized in 2019, with Buechele going on to become a finalist. Garrett Gilbert and Jeremy Johnson were named semifinalists in 2013.
Finalists will be announced on Dec. 13, 2022, and the winner will be announced at an award banquet in Tyler, Texas on Jan. 11.
