ECU trio named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award watch list

TYLER, Texas – The East Carolina trio of WR Jaquaize Pettaway, WR Landon Sides and WR Ismael Smith Flores have been named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List according to an announcement by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler on Tuesday.

The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, initiated in 2012, recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define former running back 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: born in Texas and/or graduated from a Texas High School and/or played at a Texas-based junior college or four-year college.

Jaquaize Pettaway (Career and 2025 Biographical Sketch)
Three-year letterman (1/East Carolina, 2/Oklahoma) … Played in 30 career games making two starts (1/2024, 1/2025) … Caught 29 career passes for 189 yards (6.5 ypc) … Rushed five times for 12 yards (2.4 ypr) … Transferred to ECU from Oklahoma in January of 2025.

2026 (East Carolina): Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List.
 
2025 (East Carolina): Appeared in 10 games making one start (NC State) earning varsity letter … Caught 13 passes for 32 yards (2.5 ypc) … Hauled in at least one pass in nine of 10 games (multiple three times) … Caught a season-best three passes for 23 yards with a long of 11 yards against Army … Registered multiple receptions against NC State (two), Coastal Carolina (two) and Army (three) … Rushed four times for two yards with a long of two yards at Temple … Logged 138 snaps on offense … Two of 13 receptions resulted in a first down … Targeted 18 times making 13 grabs.

Landon Sides (Career and 2025 Biographical Sketch)
Mid-year transfer from North Texas, who enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2026 … Three-year letterman at North Texas (2023-25) … Played in 36 career games making 18 starts (15 consecutive to end 2025 season) … Caught 88 passes for 1,092 yards (12.4 ypc) … Scored six receiving touchdowns … Rushed four times for 25 yards (6.3 ypr) all in 2023 … Returned seven punts for 21 yards (3.0 avg.) … Recorded one tackle (solo) … Caught at least one pass in 33 of 36 games (multiple 20 times) … Registered two 100-plus yard receiving contests (100 vs. UAB’23, 114 vs. Charlotte/’25) … Set career-highs in receptions with six on two occasions (UAB ’23, Army ’25) … Scored two touchdowns against UAB (2023) … Established career-highs in punt returns (5 vs. UTSA’25) and punt return yards (21 vs. Charlotte’25).

2026 (East Carolina: Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List … Named Preseason All-American Conference by Athlon Sports (third team).

2025 (North Texas): Started 13 of the Mean Green’s 14 games (did not play vs. Lamar) earning third varsity letter … Caught 34 passes for 449 yads (13.2 ypc) with one touchdown … Returned five punts for 18 yards (3.6 avg.) … Hauled in at least one reception in 12 of 13 contests (multiple eight times) … Tied career-high with six receptions against Army … Set new career-high in reception yards (114) versus Charlotte … Tallied five catches against Charlotte and San Diego State, the last in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl … Caught a career-long pass of 60 yards against the 49ers … Returned a career-best four punts against UTSA for 18 yards … Other punt return went for no yards at Charlotte … Booked one tackle (solo) versus Temple … Named to 2025 All-State AFCA Good Works Team nominee … Preseason Fourth Team All-American Conference selection by Athlon Sports.

Ismael Smith Flores (Career and 2025 Biographical Sketch)
Mid-year transfer from UTRGV who, enrolled at East Carolina in January of 2026 … Earned first varsity letter in 2025 … Appeared in 14 career games making nine starts (all at UTRGV) … Signed with Nebraska out of high school and was a member of the 2023 and 2024 Huskers team where he played linebacker … Caught 20 passes for 244 yards with six touchdowns in 2025 for the Vaqueros.

2026 (East Carolina): Named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List … Named Preseason All-American Conference by Pro Football Network (third team).

2025 (UTRGV): Started nine of 12 games at tight end … Caught 20 passes for 244 yards (12.2 ypc) with six touchdowns … Stood 60th in FCS and seventh in the Southland in receiving touchdowns … Caught at least one pass in eight of 12 contests (multiple seven times) … Hauled down a career-best four receptions on two occasions (Southeastern Louisiana and East Texas A&M) … Scored touchdowns against Sul Ross State, Southeastern Louisiana, Houston Christian, UIW (two) and East Texas A&M … Had a career-best 68 yards receiving against UIW which included a career-long 43-yard reception … Had two rushing attempts.

The Pirates will open the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 when it travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on Alabama at Saban Field inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 12 noon (ET) and will be televised on ABC. Season ticket orders are currently on sale, with packages starting at just $75 for the six-game home slate at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium this fall. To purchase new season tickets, visit ECUPirates.com or contact the ECU Athletics Ticket Office at (252) 737-4500 during normal business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.).