Rock Hill graduate Matt Wagner earned a spot on the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List entering his senior season as a tight end at Boise State.

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce and SPORTyler announced the 14th annual watch list on Aug. 24. The award honors the nation's top offensive player who embodies the traits that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community and tenacity. Candidates must be born in Texas or have attended a Texas high school, junior college or university.

Wagner, a Prosper native, graduated from Rock Hill High School in the Class of 2023. He checks every box.

In 31 games as a Bronco, Wagner has compiled 34 catches for 359 yards and one touchdown, starting 19 of those contests. He logged 24 receptions for 251 yards in 2025 alone. His best game came in the regular-season finale at Utah State, when he posted a career-high five catches for 69 yards and scored his first career touchdown. Boise State won 25-24, clinching a berth in the Mountain West Championship.

Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson told ESPN that Wagner can do it all as a tight end. "What I like about Matt is he is a matchup problem in the pass game, but he'll mix it up with any defensive end," Danielson said.

Wagner spent two seasons developing behind primary tight end Matt Lauter and will now step into a lead role catching passes from quarterback Maddux Madsen. ESPN named him one of 51 college football sleeper players to watch in 2026, calling him a versatile weapon Danielson can line up anywhere on the field.

The preseason honors keep coming. Wagner also landed on the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000 and earned Preseason All-Pac-12 recognition from Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (third team).

Rock Hill's football program celebrated the news Monday, Aug. 31, calling Wagner's watch list recognition a next-level moment for the Blue Hawks.

Boise State opens its 2026 season Saturday, Sept. 5, at No. 2 Oregon at 1:30 p.m., then hosts Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m.