TYLER, TEXAS (SMU) – Quarterback
Kevin Jennings and offensive tackle
PJ Williams landed on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watchlist, the organization announced Monday.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is presented annually to the nation's outstanding Division I college offensive player who meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. Played football at and graduated from a Texas high school; or 2. Currently playing at a Texas Division I college. The player must also exhibit the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell, including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, community, and tenacity – Specifically tenacity to persist and determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.
From South Oak Cliff to SMU,
Kevin Jennings is Dallas born, raised, and made. SMU Athletics officially launched the "K7NG OF DALLAS" campaign last month, presenting his case to become the first Mustang to win college football's most prestigious award in generations. As the face of the program's modern resurgence, the elite quarterback now sets his sights on a trip to New York.
This campaign honors not just where the star quarterback plays, but his loyalty to the city he never left. After breaking a decades-long Dallas ISD drought with a 2021 state title, Jennings stayed home to lead his hometown university back to the national stage. His leadership secured SMU's first AP Top 10 ranking since 1983 and a College Football Playoff berth during their inaugural Power Four season.
Entering his senior year, the signal-caller already ranks among the most prolific passers in school history. He is rapidly closing in on the program's all-time records while chasing the one prize no Mustang has claimed in nearly eight decades. His legendary predecessor, the incomparable "Doak," was the last from the Hilltop to hoist the bronze trophy.
Jennings threw for 3,641 yards in 2025, which was third in the ACC and seventh in FBS. Last season, Jennings set career highs in completions (300), passing yards (3,641), passing touchdowns (26) and completion percentage (66.0).
He is tied for third among returning Power Four quarterbacks in career wins as a starter (19), owns the third-highest winning percentage among active FBS quarterbacks (.731), is fifth among returning Power 4 quarterbacks in career passing yards (7,709), ranks fifth among returning Power 4 quarterbacks in career passing touchdowns (55) and is fifth nationally in career total offense for returning Power 4 quarterbacks (8,267).
Williams, a Dickinson High School product, played an integral role in SMU's offensive line that paved the way for the Mustangs offense to produce 283.1 passing yards per game, ranking 12th nationally and second in conference. Williams led an o-line that only allowed 19 total sacks, good for fifth in the league and 29th nationally.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Selection Committee will be comprised of Texas-based and national journalists and college football dignitaries and, in subsequent years, each of the all-time winners. This year, the selection committee will narrow the field to up to 16 semifinalists in November, and up to five finalists in December. The recipient of the award will be announced in December.
The 2026 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recipient will be honored at the gala announcement banquet to be held January 27, 2027, in Tyler. The winner will receive a unique trophy sculpted by noted artist Ken Bjorge. The winner's name will be permanently added to the base of the original trophy on display in Tyler.
About the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is presented by SPORTyler, Inc., in conjunction with the City of Tyler, Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Tyler. Located in downtown Tyler, Texas, the non-profit helps to encourage student-athletes to succeed on and off the field.
