Steven Sims Jr., nominated for 2017 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas junior wide receiver Steven Sims Jr., was listed among the nominees for the 2017 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is presented annually by SPORTyler, Inc., in conjunction with the City of Tyler (Texas), the Tyler Convention & Visitors Bureau and Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.
 
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is an award given annually to the nation’s outstanding Division I college offensive player who meets one or more of the following criteria: 1. Born in Texas; 2. Graduated from a Texas high school; or 3. Played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college. The player must also exhibit the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell, including integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, community and tenacity.
 
Sims was near the top of the Big 12 Conference in nearly every receiving category. A product of Houston, Texas, Sims has caught a pass in each of the 23 games he has played. As a sophomore in 2016, he grabbed a team-leading 72 passes for 859 yards – the most by a Jayhawk since 2009.
 
An incredibly crisp route runner, Sims eclipsed 100 yards receiving on four occasions as a sophomore and he caught more than five passes in nine games. Among Big 12 players, Sims ranked fourth in receptions-per-game with an average of 6.0. Sims turned in 100-yard efforts against Rhode Island (124), Ohio (114), TCU (101) and West Virginia (124). Thanks to an astounding 61 receptions and 606 yards in conference action, Sims etched his name into ninth place on KU’s single-season receiving yardage list.
 
Not only a blazer in the open field, Sims proved to be a go-to target near the end zone evidenced by his team-best seven touchdown receptions, also the most by a Kansas player since 2009. As a freshman Sims earned reps in 11 games and wound up catching a team-best 30 passes for 349 yards and two scores.
 
Sims is one of five Jayhawks who have been named to preseason watch lists. In addition to his name on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list, Sims is a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award. Junior defensive end Dorance Armstrong Jr., (Bednarik, Nagurski, Preseason Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Preseason All-Big 12 First Team [media, Athlon Sports], Preseason All-America Third Team [Athlon Sports]), senior tight end Ben Johnson (Mackey), sophomore center Mesa Ribordy (Rimington) and redshirt junior linebacker Joe Dineen Jr., (AFCA Good Works Team, Wuerffel Trophy) join Sims as KU players who have received recognition.
 
Kansas will begin the 2017 season on Saturday, September 2 with a home game against Southeast Missouri State. The Jayhawks will also host nonconference opponent Central Michigan (Sept. 9/Family Weekend).
 
Five Big 12 rivals will visit Lawrence, including West Virginia (Sept. 23/Jayhawks for a Cure), Texas Tech (Oct. 7/Homecoming, K-Club Weekend), Kansas State (Oct. 28/Sunflower Showdown), Baylor (Nov. 4/Salute to Service) and Oklahoma (Nov. 18/Senior Day, Youth Football Day).
 
Single-game tickets are on sale, with prices ranging from $15-$80, depending on the game and seat location in Memorial Stadium.
 
For additional information regarding Kansas football tickets contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or in-person at the Allen Fieldhouse ticket office. Tickets may also be purchased via KUTickets.com.

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