Tyler, Texas----- For leading San Jose State University to an undefeated regular season, an opportunity to play in the Mountain West football championship game, and top-25 national rankings, quarterback Nick Starkel is one of 13 national semifinalists for the 2020 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and Tyler, Texas native Earl Campbell, the award is given to the top NCAA Division I offensive player who best exhibits integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity. The annual award winner also would have a connection to the state of Texas either by birth or high school, junior college or four-year college or university football participation.
The first-year Spartan and graduate student majoring in justice studies was voted a team captain for 2020 by his teammates. The resident of Argyle, Texas was a second-team All-Mountain West after completing 66.2 percent of his passes and leading the conference in passing efficiency with a 164.3 rating, good for 14th nationally.
Starkel passed for a season-high 467 yards and single-game career best five touchdowns in a 38-21 win over New Mexico on October 31. He earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week and the weekly Earl Campbell Tyler Rose National Player of the Week honors.
The Spartan quarterback also was recognized by the Manning Award and the Davey O'Brien Great 8 Quarterback Award organizations for his overall play in 2020.
Finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award will be announced on December 23 and the winner will be named on January 13, 2021.
San Jose State (6-0) and 24th ranked in the Associated Press and Amway Coaches polls, and in the College Football Playoff Championship rankings takes on Boise State (5-1) for the Mountain West championship, Saturday, December 19, 1:15 p.m., at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. FOX Sports is televising the game nationally with Tim Brando and Spencer Tillman calling the action and providing commentary and analysis.