Texas running back D'Onta Foreman (33) is pursued by TCU safety Nick Orr (18) on a 44-yard carry during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The stars were big and bright in the Rose City Wednesday night, but there was one Lone Star that was the brightest.

University of Texas junior running back D’Onta Foreman won the fourth annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award at Willow Brook Country Club.

Other finalists were:

Jalen Hurts, Alabama quarterback, a freshman from Channelview (Channelview HS);

Patrick Mahomes II, Texas Tech quarterback, a junior from Whitehouse (Whitehouse HS);

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma quarterback, a junior from Austin (Lake Travis HS);

Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma wide receiver, a senior from Cameron (Yoe HS).

Ron Franklin, former voice of the Houston Oilers, Texas Longhorns and college football on ESPN, was the emcee.

The Tyler Rose himself, Earl Campbell 1977 Heisman Trophy winner from the University of Texas and Pro Football Hall of Famer, was on hand to present the award.

Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty was the first winner of the award for the 2013 season. Other 2013 finalists were Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Texas Tech tight end Jace Amaro, Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans and Missouri quarterback James Franklin.

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin was the 2014 winner. Other finalists were Boise State running back Jay Ajayi, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine and Petty.

Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr., a Tylerite and John Tyler High School graduate, was the 2015 winner. Other finalists were Boykin, Baylor wide receiver Corey Coleman, TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson and Mayfield.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, announced in 2012 by the Tyler Chamber and SPORTyler, recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, tenacity and community; 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: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year DI Texas college.

Voting is by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters.

Sponsors include: City of Tyler, Brookshire Grocery Company, Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Clements Fluids Management, Patterson Commercial Property Group, R.W. Fair Foundation, TDI Air Conditioning/James and Sharon Wynne, Chesley and Ted W. Walters, Austin Bank, Azalea Orthopedics, First Bank & Trust East Texas, Southside Bank, Texas Spine and Joint Hospital, Tyler Morning Telegraph, Prothro, Wilhelmi & Co., Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Tyler.

 

Twitter: @PhilHicksETFS