CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois wide receiver Zakhari Franklin has been named to the 2024 watch list for Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award on Wednesday by the Tyler (Texas) Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler.
EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award 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; 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.- Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award website
- Last three winners:
- 2023: Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
- 2022: Max Duggan, QB, TCU
- 2021: Bailey Zappe, QB, Western Kentucky
ZAKHARI FRANKLIN
- Transferred to Illinois in the summer of 2024 with one year of eligibility remaining
- Enters the season as the NCAA's active career leader in receptions (266), receiving yards (3,386), and receiving touchdowns (38)
- Played in only four games as a senior in 2023 at Ole Miss
- Recorded four catches for 38 yards with one touchdown for the Rebels
- Four-year starter at UTSA (2019-22), appearing in 46 career games for the Roadrunners
- 2022 Phil Steele All-America honorable mention and three-time All-Conference USA selection (2020, 2021, 2022) for the Roadrunners
- Left UTSA as the program's single-season and career record holder for receptions, total receiving yards, receiving yards per game, 100-yard games, and receiving touchdowns
- Ranks 21st all-time in FBS history with 38 career receiving touchdowns, 12 more than any other active NCAA player entering the 2024 season
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF AUGUST 21)
- Pat Bryant - Senior Bowl
- Seth Coleman - Senior Bowl
- J.C. Davis - Senior Bowl
- Kaden Feagin – Doak Walker
- Zakhari Franklin – Comeback, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose
- Gabe Jacas - Senior Bowl
- Josh Kreutz – Polynesian POY
- Josh McCray – Doak Walker, Comeback
- Kenenna Odeluga – Wuerffel
- Dylan Rosiek – Butkus
- Cole Rusk – John Mackey
