Red Raider trio added to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list

TYLER, Texas – Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, and wide receivers Caleb Douglas and Coy Eakin, were each named to the 2025 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, revealed by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler on Wednesday.

The annual award, heading into its 13th year, has direct ties with the state of Texas, and will be presented to the nation's most outstanding Division I college offensive player who played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or is currently playing at a Texas D1 four-year college. The candidate must also exhibit characteristics of the award's namesake, Earl Campbell, such as integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity; specifically, tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

The Texas Tech trio recognized on Wednesday meet all the Lone Star state marks of the criteria set forth for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. In addition to being Red Raiders, Morton was born in Lubbock, Texas, and attended Eastland High School, Douglas was born in Houston and attended Hightower High School, while Eakin was born in Canyon, Texas, and attended Stephenville High School.

Entering 2025, all three will play pivotal roles in the Red Raiders' offense. A year ago, Morton connected to the wideout duo for 1,367 of his 3,335 passing yards in 2024 and 12 of his 27 passing touchdowns.

Morton finished 2024 seventh in the FBS for completions per game (24.58), eighth for passing yards per game (277.9), and 16th for both total passing yards (3,335) and passing touchdowns (27). Meanwhile, Douglas closed the season ranked 10th in the Big 12 for both receiving yards (877) and receiving yards per game (67.5), and Eakin concluded the season ranked tied for ninth in the conference with his team-leading seven receiving touchdowns.

The watch list announced on Wednesday will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The winner will be announced in December and celebrated at The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026, in Tyler, Texas. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be eligible to win the award.

2025 Watch List Breakdown:

102 players from nine conferences and one independent (American, ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Conference USA, Mountain West, Pac-12, SEC, and Sun Belt).
Players representing Universities from 33 different states and 73 schools.
Quarterbacks lead the nominations with 31, followed by wide receivers (29), running backs (24), offensive linemen (13), and tight ends (5).

About Earl Campbell
Earl Campbell graduated from John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas 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 the NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991. He now resides in Austin.

For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, go to earlcampbellaward.com or contact Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce: csmoak@tylertexas.com or 903-595-7226.

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Red Raider trio added to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list

Players Mentioned

Caleb Douglas

Coy Eakin

Behren Morton

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