Akharaiyi Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watchlist
August 21, 2024 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football's Kelly Akharaiyi was named to the preseason watchlist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the organization announced on Wednesday.
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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: Played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or currently playing at Texas D1 four-year college.
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Akharaiyi comes to Starkville after two impressive seasons at UTEP. In 2023, Akharaiyi began to turn heads with an outstanding junior campaign. He started all 12 games for the Miners and was one of just two C-USA players to tally over 1,000 receiving yards (1,033). On 48 receptions, he averaged 86.1 yards per game while hauling in seven touchdowns.
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The senior, born in Nigeria, led C-USA and ranked fifth in the FBS in yards per catch (21.5) and 17th in college football in total receiving yards and yards per game. He was a big play threat all season, earning a pair of 80+ yard touchdown receptions, the most 80+ yard receptions for a UTEP receiver since 1999. Akharaiyi was named to the 2024 Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Fourth Team after earning First Team All-Conference USA last season.
Throughout the 2024 preseason, Akharaiyi has earned a number of preseason honors: Biletnikoff Award watchlist, Senior Bowl watchlist, Shrine Bowl 1000 and Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC.
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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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: Played football at and graduated from a Texas High School and/or currently playing at Texas D1 four-year college.
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Akharaiyi comes to Starkville after two impressive seasons at UTEP. In 2023, Akharaiyi began to turn heads with an outstanding junior campaign. He started all 12 games for the Miners and was one of just two C-USA players to tally over 1,000 receiving yards (1,033). On 48 receptions, he averaged 86.1 yards per game while hauling in seven touchdowns.
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The senior, born in Nigeria, led C-USA and ranked fifth in the FBS in yards per catch (21.5) and 17th in college football in total receiving yards and yards per game. He was a big play threat all season, earning a pair of 80+ yard touchdown receptions, the most 80+ yard receptions for a UTEP receiver since 1999. Akharaiyi was named to the 2024 Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Fourth Team after earning First Team All-Conference USA last season.
Throughout the 2024 preseason, Akharaiyi has earned a number of preseason honors: Biletnikoff Award watchlist, Senior Bowl watchlist, Shrine Bowl 1000 and Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC.
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For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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– HailState.com –
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Players Mentioned
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