Press Release: SAN MARCOS, Texas – Texas State’s Javen Banks and Calvin Hill were named to the 10th annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List, which was announced at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler 16th Annual East Texas Kick-off Luncheon on Tuesday. Banks and Hill were among 63 players named to the initial watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which 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. 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 currently playing at a Texas Division I four-year college. Banks is one of the most productive wide receivers in Texas State history as the senior wideout enters the 2022 season ninth in school history in career receiving yards (1,380) and tied for fourth in career receiving touchdowns (16). He is also averaging 16.8 yards per catch in four years so far, which is currently sixth-best in school history. Last year, the product of Hirschi High School in Wichita Falls, Texas, led the team in receiving yards (548) and yards per catch (15.2). Hill, out of Ross Sterling High School in Baytown, Texas, started all 12 games a season ago and paced the team in rushing with 714 yards and 5.6 yards per carry. He finished the season in the top-10 in the Sun Belt in both categories, which helped him earn preseason All-Sun Belt Fourth Team honors from Athlon Sports earlier this summer. In 28 career games, Hill has 1,270 rushing yards on 245 attempts. The redshirt sophomore is averaging 5.2 yards per carry in his career. The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List 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 previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler for the Early Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 11, 2023. Banks and Hill are among 29 wide receivers and 14 running backs, respectively, on the watch list of 63 players. Hill is one of six sophomores on the list. Texas State, in the midst of preseason practice, opens this season on Sept. 3 at Nevada. The home opener is set for Sept. 10 against FIU at Bobcat Stadium.
