[BAYLOR FOOTBALL] Baylor Football’s Smith Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist

[Calderone, Max]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – Dec. 14, 2021

Baylor FB’s Smith Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Finalist
Award recognizes exemplary characteristics amongst collegiate football players with Texas ties
For more information contact: Max Calderone, 254-265-1639, Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu<mailto:Max_Calderone at Baylor.edu>

TYLER, Texas – Baylor football senior running back Abram Smith has been named a finalist for the 2021 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, as announced Tuesday.

The 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 to persist as well as determination to overcome adversity and injury in pursuit of reaching goals.

Additionally, the nominee must either be born in Texas, graduated from a Texas high school, or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year university.

Smith, a native of Abilene, has rushed for 1,429 yards in 2021, the second-most in the Big 12, seventh nationally and just 118 yards shy of Baylor’s single-season record. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from both the coaches and Associated Press, also garnering votes for the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award.

Smith is ranked 17th in the country with 6.16 rushing yards per carry and 33rd in the nation with 12 rushing touchdowns. He scored in eight of Baylor’s 13 games this season and notched multi-TD outings in three games in 2021. His eight 100+ yard rushing games is tied for the most in a single season in BU program history.

Earlier this year, Smith received the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week award following his career day vs. BYU, in which he rushed for 188 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also earned honorable mention recognition after BU’s season opener at Texas State, rushing for 118 yards and two scores.

The senior’s story is well-documented, having been recruited to Baylor as a running back but switching over to linebacker during the 2019 season. In the final week of spring ball in 2021, Smith flipped back over to offense as a perfect fit for new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ wide zone scheme.

By doing so, Smith has revitalized one of the nation’s most potent ground attacks as BU ranks 17th nationally with 214.7 rushing yards per game, increasing its rushing output by 138% after ranking 123rd last season (90.3 ypg).

This year’s five finalists were selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. Smith and teammate Gerry Bohanon were each previously named semifinalists for the award. Baylor’s Bryce Petty won the inaugural Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award in 2013. The 2021 recipient will be announced on Jan. 12, 2022.

For the latest news on the Baylor football team, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.

2021 EARL CAMPBELL TYLER ROSE AWARD FINALISTS
Sincere McCormick, RB – UTSA
Abram Smith, RB – Baylor
Deuce Vaughn, RB – Kansas State
Garrett Wilson, WR – Ohio State
Bailey Zappe, QB – Western Kentucky

-BaylorBears.com-


__________________________________

Max Calderone | Associate Director of Athletics Communications (BSB, FB, EQ)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: 254-265-1639

[signature_394694115]<http://baylorbears.com/>

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