Press release via UT Athletics
Texas junior quarterback Quinn Ewers was named to the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award for the second-straight year, the Tyler Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler announced Wednesday.
The award, which is named after 1977 Heisman Trophy winner and Longhorn Legend Earl Campbell, is given annually to the top offensive player in the FBS who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Campbell – integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity. In addition, the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: played football at and graduated from a Texas high school and/or currently plays at a Texas Division I university.
A native of Southlake, Texas, Ewers is a third-year quarterback who has led Texas to 16 wins in 22 starts in his career. His 5,656 career passing yards rank eighth all-time in Texas history and his 37 career passing touchdowns are tied for seventh. In addition to being selected to the preseason watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, Ewers has been recognized on the Davey O’Brien Award, Johnny United Golden Arm Award, Manning Award, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year watch lists.
In 2023, Ewers completed 272-of-294 passes (69 percent) for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions, while he rushed 59 times for 75 yards and five touchdowns. His 3,479 passing yards were fourth-most in a season in UT history and his 272 completions rank sixth. Ewers had six 300-yard passing games, which is tied for the most in a season in program history. Earning the Big 12 Championship’s Most Outstanding Player, Ewers completed 35-of-46 passes for 452 yards and four touchdowns, breaking the Big 12 Championship Game record and establishing career-highs for completions and passing yards, while also equaling the Big 12 Championship Game and his personal best with four touchdown passes. Ewers put together a sensational performance in Texas’ 34-24 victory at No. 3 Alabama on Sept. 9, 2023, receiving Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Maxwell Player of the Week, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and Davey O’Brien Quarterback of the Week honors after connecting on 24-of-38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns to top the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. In the College Football Playoff semifinals versus No. 2 Washington at the Sugar Bowl, Ewers completed 24-of-43 passes for 318 yards and a score. On the season, he had at least one passing touchdown in each of his 12 starts and recorded six games with multiple passing touchdowns. Ewers was tabbed a 2023 AP All-Big 12 Second Team selection.
In his first season on the 40 Acres in 2022, Ewers was named honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year by the league’s coaches after playing in and starting 10 games. Ewers completed 172-of-296 passes (58.1%) for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions while his 2,177 passing yards were the fifth-most for a Texas freshman QB and the 22nd-most in Texas history. His 15 touchdown passes were the fourth-most in a season by a Texas freshman.
The watch list will be narrowed down 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 Jan. 22, 2025.
Ewers and the Longhorns kick off the season at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Aug. 31, at home against Colorado State. The game will air on ESPN from inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst) and Dawn Davenport (sideline reporter) on the call.
