TYLER, Texas (SMU) – Three Mustangs were named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, an award given annually to the nation's top offensive player that has a tie to the state of Texas, SPORTyler, Inc., announced Tuesday.

The player 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.

Receivers James Proche and Reggie Roberson, Jr., along with quarterback Shane Buechele, were recognized on the preseason list.

A native of Dallas, Proche attended DeSoto High School, and has been named to a number of preseason watch lists including the Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award and Paul Hornung Award.

Proche led SMU with 93 receptions for 1,199 yards and 12 touchdowns en route to All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2018. He led the conference and was in the top 12 nationally in receptions per game (7.8, 5th NCAA), receiving TDs (8th NCAA), receiving yards per game (99.9, 10th NCAA) and receiving yards (12th NCAA).

Proche was also the Mustangs' top return man with 20 punt returns for 165 yards and 12 kick returns for 276 yards. He was second in the league for all-purpose yards (138.08, 13th NCAA), and had five 100-yard games in 2018, giving him nine for his career.

Roberson Jr. was second on the team with 52 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns in only 10 games last season. He posted four 100-yard receiving games and five games with at least 100 all-purpose yards.

At the conference level, Roberson Jr. ranked fourth in receptions per game (5.2) and receiving yards per game (80.2).

Roberson Jr. is a native of DeSoto, Texas, and attended Mesquite Horn High School.

Buechele is in his first season with the Mustangs after transferring from the University of Texas. In three seasons, Buechele threw for 4,636 yards and 30 touchdowns.
A native of Arlington, Texas, Buechele attended Lamar High School.

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 Jan. 15, 2020.