TYLER, Texas (SMU) – SMU sophomore Courtland Sutton was named to the fourth-annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Tuesday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas Kick-off Luncheon.

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. The Watch List announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and the previous winner. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 11, 2017.

The Brenham, Texas, native was also named to the preseason 2016 Biletnikoff Award Watch List after a stellar freshman campaign where he was named to the USA Today Sports Freshman All-America Team following a standout first season on the Hilltop.

Sutton started all 12 games in 2015 and recorded team highs in catches (49), yards (862) and touchdowns (9). The 862 receiving yards set an SMU freshman record, besting the previous mark by 173 yards. His nine receiving touchdowns also tied the mark set by former Mustang great, Super Bowl 50 champion and current Denver Bronco Emmanuel Sanders.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award was announced in 2012 by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.

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 1744 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns, going on to win the Longhorns' first Heisman Trophy. Campbell was 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. He earned NFL MVP in 1979 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

Past winners of the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award have all been quarterbacks: Bryce Petty (Baylor, 2013); Trevone Boykin (TCU, 2014); and Greg Ward Jr. (Houston, 2015).

For more information on the The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to www.earlcampbellaward.com.

Sutton is one of four Mustangs to be named to a preseason award watch list, joining Matt Davis (Johnny Unitas), Xavier Jones (Doak Walker) and Evan Brown (Rimington). 

SMU opens the 2016 season on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. CT at North Texas. The Mustangs' home opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Liberty. Season tickets are still available for as little as $99 for SMU's six-game home slate. For Mustang ticket information, call the Athletics Department Ticket Office at (214) SMU-GAME (768-4263) or visit GetHereForGameday.com.