Perine Named Earl Campbell Award Finalist

NORMAN -- Oklahoma freshman running back Samaje Perine has been named one of five finalists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. He is the only true freshman on the list that includes one other running back and two other players from the Big 12.

Fans can vote once daily at www.earlcampbellaward.com to determine the winner for the award, who will be announced at the award banquet in Tyler, Texas, on Jan. 14, 2015.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award recognizes the top FBS offensive player 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. Nominees 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 FBS school located in Texas.

Perine is a native of Pflugerville, Texas, who prepped at Hendrickson High School. Perine led the Big 12 in rushing this season, totaling 1,579 yards. The freshman also scored 21 touchdowns, a Big 12 record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a freshman. Perine has also received All Big 12 First Team honors, Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, AP All Big 12 First Team honors and AP Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year status.

He was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season and was chosen as the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week after setting the set the FBS single-game rushing yardage record with a 427-yard, five-touchdown performance in a 44-7 victory vs. Kansas (11/15).

Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalists
Player	School	Class	Hometown (High School)
RB Jay Ajayi	Boise State	Jr.	Plano, Texas (Frisco Liberty HS)
QB J.T. Barrett	Ohio State	RS Fr.	Wichita Falls, Texas (Rider HS)
QB Trevone Boykin	TCU	Jr.	Dallas, Texas (West Mesquite HS)
RB Samaje Perine	Oklahoma	Fr.	Pflugerville, Texas (Hendrickson HS)
QB Bryce Petty	Baylor	Sr.	Midlothian, Texas (Midlothian HS)