MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sophomore wide receiver Malik Knowles was one of 47 players in the nation to be named to the watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the award’s organization announced Wednesday.
The award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell, and 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.
Knowles is the second Wildcat to be a candidate for the award as running back John Hubert – a Waco native – was a preseason candidate in 2013.
A product of Mansfield, Texas, Knowles played in 11 games with eight starts last season, hauling in 27 catches for 397 yards and three touchdowns as he earned votes from the league’s coaches for the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year award. He also returned six kickoffs for 222 yards and a touchdown. His return touchdown was a 100-yarder at Mississippi State to tie the game in the fourth quarter as the Wildcats went on to win, 31-24.