TYLER, Texas – Three Bobcats were recognized on the fourteenth annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List announced today by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.

The award honors 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: Played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or currently playing at Texas D1 four-year college.

Chris Dawn, Jr. | WR | Dallas | Mesquite Horn
Dawn Jr. enters his senior season after becoming just the third player in Texas State history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season in 2025. The Dallas native started all 12 games played last season and ranked second on the team with 65 receptions for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. His 1,007 receiving yards rank fourth in a single season in program history, while his 65 receptions rank eighth.

Dawn Jr. averaged 83.92 receiving yards per game, which ranked 13th nationally. He recorded five 100-yard receiving games, including a career-high 180 yards at Marshall, the eighth-most receiving yards in a single game in Texas State history. He capped the season with a record-setting performance in the Armed Forces Bowl, hauling in 11 receptions, the most in Armed Forces Bowl history.

Brad Jackson | QB | San Antonio | Reagan
The Armed Forces Bowl MVP started all 13 games for the Bobcats in 2025 and accounted for 3,968 yards of total offense, setting a Texas State single-season record while also establishing program records for total offense per game (305.2) and touchdowns responsible for (38).

Jackson completed 251-of-352 passes for 3,224 yards and 21 touchdowns while posting a school-record 71.3 completion percentage and 164.0 passing efficiency. His completion percentage ranked fifth nationally, while his passing efficiency ranked seventh. His 3,224 passing yards rank third in Texas State single-season history.

On the ground, Jackson rushed for a school-record 17 touchdowns on 174 carries for 744 yards. His TD total ranked fifth nationally.

Beau Sparks | WR | El Paso, Texas | Franklin
Sparks returns for his senior season after putting together one of the most productive receiving seasons in Texas State history in 2025. A First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection at wide receiver and second-team all-purpose player, Sparks started all 13 games and led the Bobcats with 84 receptions for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns.

His 1,200 receiving yards ranked sixth nationally, while his 84 receptions established a Texas State single-season record. His receiving-yard total ranks second in program history, and his 10 receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth.

The El Paso, Texas, native recorded three 100-yard receiving games and delivered a record-tying performance against Eastern Michigan, catching four touchdown passes to match the Texas State single-game record. Sparks also recorded 186 receiving yards at Louisiana, the sixth-most in a game in Texas State history, and added 168 yards at Marshall, the 10th-most in program history.

Beyond his receiving production, Sparks contributed 1,346 all-purpose yards, six carries for 74 yards and a touchdown, and 13 punt returns for 72 yards.

The Watch List announced today 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 winner will be announced in December and celebrated at The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 27, 2027, in Tyler, Texas.

For more information about The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award go to earlcampbellaward.com.