University of Memphis tight end Hunter Tipton added another line to his breakout season on Tuesday, earning honorable mention recognition for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award’s Player of the Week.
Tipton, who is from Timpson, Texas, kept building his case in last Saturday’s game at Charlotte. He finished with three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns, and his only non-scoring grab turned into a highlight when he hurdled a Charlotte defensive back to reach the red zone. That play set up a touchdown catch by Stonka Burnside.
The redshirt senior’s season numbers now speak loudly. Tipton leads all FBS tight ends with five receiving touchdowns, ranks third among tight ends with 367 receiving yards, and owns the top yards-per-catch mark among tight ends nationally at 19.32.
This isn’t the first time Tipton has drawn national attention, either. Earlier this season, he was named the John Mackey Award Player of the Week after going for 229 receiving yards against Boise State, coming within five yards of the FBS record for single-game receiving yards by a tight end.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award is given to the top offensive player in Division I football who also reflects the qualities associated with Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity. The award also requires nominees to fit one or both of these criteria: they played football at and graduated from a Texas high school and/or they are currently playing at a Texas Division I four-year institution.
Memphis, now 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the American, turns next to a home rivalry game against UAB, which is also 1-0 in conference play. The Battle for the Bones is set for Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN2.