Sanders, McCaskill named to 2023 Earl Campbell Tyler Rose preseason watch list

The Colorado Buffaloes had two players named to college football's most selective preseason watch list.

Shedeur Sanders and Alton McCaskill were named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award preseason watch list on Thursday. The award is given annually to the top offensive player who represents the State of Texas. The candidate has to either be born or attend high school in the Lone Star state, or play at a Texas junior college or university.

For both Sanders and McCaskill, the duo grew up in separate parts of Texas. Sanders attended Cedar Hill HS outside of Dallas before following his father to Jackson State University. As for McCaskill, he grew up Conroe, Texas and went to Oak Ridge HS before playing his first two seasons at Houston.

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Both are breaking into their own at Colorado. Sanders received praise from former NFL and current Buffs TE coach Tim Brewster this week. The Deacon Jones Award winner from last year helped lead the JSU Tigers to a Celebration Bowl appearance before transferring to CU.

McCaskill earned AAC Rookie of the Year honors two years ago, before he was sidelined due to injury last year. He rushed for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns while at Houston. The H-Town representative was ranked as a top 100 transfer to Colorado.

The award is named after Earl Campbell, also carries his nickname the Tyler Rose. Campbell, a former Heisman winner, made a name for himself at Texas before a eight-year career in the NFL. The All-Pro earned Rookie of the Year and league MVP in consecutive years with the Houston Oilers starting in 1978.