UCF senior wide receiver Ryan O'Keefe has been named to the watch list (one of 63 players) for the 10th annual 2022 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award presented to the nation's top offensive player connected to the State of Texas.
Pacing the 2022 Knights' wide receivers will be O'Keefe (84 rec. for 812 yards, 7 TDs; 16 rushes for 274, 1 TD in 2021; second-team all-American Athletic Conference by vote of league coaches and by Pro Football Network), who caught more passes in 2021 than any UCF player in 15 seasons. O'Keefe capped his junior campaign by winning the MVP award in the Knights' Gasparilla Bowl win over Florida, thanks to his 255 all-purpose yards.
O'Keefe also is among names on the preseason watch lists for the 2022 Biletnikoff Award that goes to the outstanding pass receiver in college football and the Paul Hornung Award that goes to the most versatile player in college football.
O'Keefe, from Austin, Texas (Round Rock High School), is a preseason first-team all-AAC pick by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele and a second-team selection by Lindy's.
Here are O'Keefe's career statistics:
--Receiving: 111 for 1,277 and 10 TDs (84 for 812 and 7 in 2021)
--Rushing: 16 for 274 and 1 TD (all that in 2021)
--Passing: 3 of 3 for 66 and 2 TDs (all that in 2021)
--Kickoff Returns: 18 for 421 (7 for 181 in 2021)
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define former Texas running back 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: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or currently playing at a Texas DI four-year college.
The watch list announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler, Texas, for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan. 11, 2023.
Here are UCF players who have appeared on watch lists for the 2022 national college football awards:
--RB Isaiah Bowser (Doak Walker and Wuerffel)
--RB Johnny Richardson (Doak Walker)
--WR Ryan O'Keefe (Biletnikoff, Hornung and Campbell)
--C Matt Lee (Rimington)
--TE Kemore Gamble (Mackey)
--CB Davonte Brown (Thorpe)
--OL Lokahi Pauole (Outland)
--S Divaad Wilson (Nagurski)
--P Andrew Osteen (Guy)
--LS Alex Ward (Mannelly)