Ollie Gordon, II holds up his trophy after being named the recipient of the 11th annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II found the end zone 22 times in 2023 and Cowboy fans heard the iconic call of “Pistols Firing” each time he scored a touchdown.

Gordon had another big score on Wednesday night as he was named the winner of the 11th Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award during a gala at the W.T. Brookshire Convention Center in Tyler.

Gordon is a sophomore from Fort Worth who attended Euless Trinity High School.

“I’m honored to present the award to Ollie Gordon II,” Earl Campbell said. “All of these players had incredible seasons. They all deserved their place as a finalist.”

“What an honor,” Gordon said. “First I want to thank God because without Him I would not be here. I thank my family, coaches and teammates and Mr. Earl Campbell.”

Christian Campbell, son of Earl Campbell, announced the winner.

“As Earl Christian Campbell II I share a Roman numeral in my name with the winner,” said Christian, whose statement was followed by cheers from his family and friends attending. “The winner of the 11th Annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is Ollie Gordon II.”

Gordon, along with finalists Ashton Jeanty of Boise State and Kaidon Salter of Liberty, were in attendance.

The other two finalists Jonathon Brooks of Texas and Jalen Milroe of Alabama did not attend.

Brooks, who injured his knee during the season, was rehabing in preparation for the NFL Draft.

Milroe was en route when news broke about Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban retiring. His plane then changed course and headed back to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Gordon is a member of the American Football Coaches Association All-America first team. He has also been honored by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Football Writers Association of America, the Associated Press and The Sporting News. He also is the Doak Walker Award winner, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year was a seventh-place finisher in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Gordon leads the FBS in several major categories including rushing yards (1,732), 100-yard rushing games (9), 150-yard rushing games (5) and 250-yard rushing games. He is second in rushing touchdowns (21), total touchdowns (22) and all-purpose yards (2,062).

The finalists were:

Jonathon Brooks, running back, Texas, sophomore, Hallettsville (Hallettsville High School);

Ashton Jeanty, running back, Boise State, sophomore, Jacksonville, Florida (Frisco Lone Star HS);

Jalen Milroe, quarterback, Alabama, sophomore, Katy (Tompkins HS);

Kaidon Salter, quarterback, Liberty, sophomore, Cedar Hill (Cedar Hill HS).

The emcee was Brian Jones, college football studio analyst for CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network.

Finalists were from colleges in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Idaho and Virginia.

Brooks, a Doak Walker Award semifinalist and All-Big 12 second team selection by the conference’s coaches and Associated Press, appeared in 11 games with eight starts. The sophomore established career highs with 187 carries for 1,139 yards (6.1 ypc) and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 25 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown before sustaining an ACL injury during the 10th game of the season. His 1,139 rushing yards on the year are 14th-most in a season in program history.

Jeanty ranks second nationally in yards from scrimmage (1,814) and all-purpose yards per game (164.9). He has 1,262 rushing yards and 552 receiving yards, scoring 19 total touchdowns. He is the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and All-MW First Team. He was named to the first team All-America by USA Today and CFN.

Milroe earned second-team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press. He has completed 171-of-261 passes for 2,718 yards and 23 touchdowns compared to six interceptions and has also rushed 140 times for 468 yards and 12 scores. He was a finalist for the Manning Award.

Salter was a Maxwell Award semifinalist (National Player of the Year Award), Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023 member, a Manning Award watch list selection. He is the 2023 CUSA Most Valuable Player, leading the Flames to Liberty’s first-ever perfect regular season record. His national rankings included No. 1 in passing yards per completion (16.98), No. 2 in rushing TDs by a quarterback (12), No. 3 in passing efficiency (182.2), and No. 3 in points responsible for (258).

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is named after 1977 Heisman Trophy winner, Texas Longhorn Legend and Tyler native Earl Campbell, is given annually to the top offensive player in Division I who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Campbell — integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity.

In addition, it is limited to players who were born in the state of Texas, attended a high school in Texas or attended a Texas junior college or university.

Cindy Smoak, SPORTyler Executive Director, added a thank you to the award sponsors: Brookshire Grocery Company, City of Tyler, BMW of Tyler, Christus Trinity Mother Frances Health System, Clements Fluids Management, LLC, Patterson Commercial Property Group, R.W. Fair Foundation, Southside Bank, Sharon and James Wynne, Ted W. Walters, The University of Texas at Tyler, Austin Bank, Azalea Orthopedics, Delek US, Prothro, Wilhelmi & Co., Tyler Morning Telegraph, UT Health East Texas Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute, American State Bank, Texas Bank and Trust, and Tyler Junior College.

Previous winners include: 2013 — Bryce Petty, Baylor, quarterback, junior, Midlothian (Midlothian HS); 2014 — Trevone Boykin, TCU, quarterback, junior, Dallas (West Mesquite HS); 2015 — Greg Ward Jr., Houston, quarterback, junior, Tyler (John Tyler HS); 2016 — D’Onta Foreman, Texas, running back, junior, Texas City (Texas City HS); 2017 — Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma, quarterback, senior, Austin (Lake Travis HS); 2018 — Kyler Murray, Oklahoma, quarterback, junior, Allen (Allen HS); 2019 — J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State, running back, junior, LaGrange (LaGrange HS); 2020 — Kyle Trask, Florida, quarterback, senior, Manvel (Manvel HS); 2022 — Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky, quarterback, graduate student, Victoria (Victoria East HS); and 2022 — Max Duggan, TCU, quarterback, senior, Council Bluffs, Iowa (Lewis Central HS).