Stevens Sims Jr., named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list
TYLER, TEXAS – Kansas football’s Steven Sims Jr., was recognized as the sixth-annual Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List was announced Tuesday at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce East Texas Kick-Off Luncheon. Sims was one of 47 players named to the 2018 watch list.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose 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; 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 college.
A native of Houston, Texas, Sims led Kansas in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (839) in 2017 and scored six receiving touchdowns. Sims ranked seventh in the Big 12 in receptions last season and 10th in receiving yards per game. His efforts in 2017 landed him All-Big 12 Honorable Mention from the league’s coaches.
Sims heads into the 2018 season ranked fifth in career receiving yards at KU with 2,049, just 260 yards behind second-place receiver Kerry Meier (2006-09) and 1,191 yards behind first-place receiver Dezmon Briscoe (2007-09). Sims also ranks third in career receptions at Kansas (161) and sixth in touchdown receptions (15).
The Watch List announced Tuesday will be narrowed to as many as 16 semifinalists in November and then down to five finalists in December. The finalists will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans and previous winners. They will be brought to Tyler for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for January 9, 2019.
Sims and his KU teammates will begin the 2018 season on September 1 vs. Nicholls State. Jayhawk great, Super Bowl Champ and three-time NFL Pro-bowler Chris Harris Jr., will enter the Ring of Honor during KU’s opener versus NSU, and the 2008 Insight Bowl team will also be celebrated.
The Jayhawks will also host nonconference opponent Rutgers on Sept. 15 for Family Weekend and will also celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness as Todd Reesing, who owns 14 school records and is one of the most decorated players in Kansas history, will have his name etched next to other Jayhawk legends in the Ring of Honor.
Oklahoma State will travel to Lawrence for Homecoming and K-Club Weekend on Sept. 29. The Jayhawks and Cowboys will kick off on Saturday, following Late Night in the Phog on Friday, Sept. 28.
Next up will be Big 12 foe TCU. KU will host the Horned Frogs on Saturday, Oct. 27 for its annual Jayhawks for a Cure game, while Kansas legend and four-time Super Bowl Champion and three-time NFL Pro-Bowler Larry Brown will have his name added to the Ring of Honor and the 1968 Orange Bowl team will be celebrated.
Kansas will host its annual Salute to Service game on Nov. 3 as Iowa State makes its way to DBK Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks will honor 26 seniors on Friday, Nov. 23 as they play host to Texas at 11 a.m. With the game against UT being played on Black Friday, KU will be offering several Black Friday specials in and around the stadium.
Kansas football Pick 3 Flex Packs are also available. As part of the Pick 3 Flex Pack offer fans have the chance to pick any three home games on the 2018 schedule for one low price. Select a Tier 1 ticket for any three home games for $180 or a Tier 2 ticket to any three home games for just $150.
Season tickets for the six-game home schedule are on sale for as low as $145. For additional ticket information contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or visit KUTickets.com.
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