Sophomore wide receiver TJ Pride of New Mexico State University has been named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list for the upcoming college football season. Pride is one of 102 players recognized from nine conferences and one independent program. Among those, only 29 are wide receivers.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award honors the top offensive player in Division I football who demonstrates characteristics associated with Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Earl Campbell. The award criteria include integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community involvement, and determination to overcome adversity or injury. Nominees must have played at and graduated from a Texas high school or currently play at a Texas Division I four-year college.
Pride, originally from Midlothian, Texas, enters his second year after leading the Aggies in receptions and receiving yards as a freshman. His efforts earned him selection to the All-Conference USA Freshman Offensive Team. He also finished second among New Mexico State University wide receivers in touchdown receptions with two last season.
With nearly 400 receiving yards last year, Pride led all true freshmen in Conference USA for receiving yards and was the only true freshman in the conference to finish among the top 25 overall for this category. He topped the team’s receptions chart in five games during the season, achieving a career-high six catches and 81 receiving yards in the final game.
The Aggies’ season opener is set for Saturday, Aug. 30 against Bryant University in Las Cruces. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. Mountain Time.
For more information on New Mexico State University football, fans can visit NMStateSports.com or follow team accounts on Facebook, Twitter (now X), and Instagram.
