TU's Garrett Named To Preseason Watch List

University of Tulsa receiver Keyarris Garrett was named to the 2014 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List, it was released today by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at their East Texas Kickoff Luncheon. This is the second year the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in the Football Bowl Subdivision from the state of Texas.

In addition to excelling on the field, candidates must also exhibit “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.”

To be eligible for the award the nominee must meet one or more of the following criteria: (1) Born in Texas; (2) Graduated from a Texas high school; or (3) played at a Texas-based junior college of four-year college. Garrett played his prep football at Daingerfield, Texas.

Garrett, a 6'4", 220-pound redshirt-junior, who played in Tulsa's first two games last year before being sidelined for the season with a leg injury, led the Hurricane receiving corps with 845 yards and nine touchdowns on 67 receptions two years ago. He started 11 of 14 games and turned in a career-best performance of 130 yards and three touchdowns on seven catches in Tulsa's first meeting against UCF that season. Garrett was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in that game. He also totaled 118 yards and one TD on three catches against Rice, and had a career-high 12 receptions for 94 yards at Arkansas his sophomore season.

Garrett enters his third active season for the Hurricane as he saw playing time as a true freshman in the 2011 campaign.

The list of 43 candidates released today spans 9 conferences and features Garrett as one of four players from the American Athletic Conference. In November, the list will be narrowed to 16 semifinalists and then again to four finalists in December. Members of the media along with fans and the inaugural winner of the award, Baylor's Bryce Petty, will select the 2014 recipient that will be announced at The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Awards Banquet which is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2015. Petty, after winning the honor last season, is once again on the watch list for the award.