Texas Tech University Athletics
Duckett Ready for Saturday's Shrine Game
January 13, 2005 | Football
Jan. 13, 2005
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations
Adell Duckett isn't a very popular man in San Francisco this week. Just days after helping the Red Raiders defeat Cal Berkeley in the Holiday Bowl, he finds himself once again surrounded by gold and blue. The Texas Tech defensive end is in the Bay Area preparing for Saturday's East West Shrine Game, the nation's premiere senior all-star game.
"There are three Cal linemen, and there are a lot of Cal equipment people working the game. I'm not a very liked man. Everyone has had something to say. The Cal band was at Shriners Hospital yesterday. It's all of them. Cal doctors did the physical. I've been hearing stuff all week. The school's right down the road," said Duckett.
The lone Red Raider participating in the game may be fending off angry Cal fans, but the opportunity to participate in a bowl of this caliber is an honor. Last year's NFL draft included 40 Shrine Game players, 11 of which were defensive linemen. The latter is good news for Duckett.
"I hope I'm one of those 40, or those 11. It's a good opportunity and there are a lot of NFL reps here. There are going to be a lot of NFL guys at practice this week," he said. "I'm just going to practice hard and let it carry over to the game."
Duckett will be looking to pressure Purdue quarterback Kyle Orton, Harvard's Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Stefan LeFors of Louisville. The three signal callers will be taking snaps for the East team, while Duckett joins a handful of Big 12 players on the West team coached by Oregon State's Mike Riley.
"They're all from the east, so I don't really have any problems with any of them. I guess I'll be going after whoever has the ball," Duckett said.
Fans can be assured that Duckett will be wearing his lucky sleeves this weekend. The rush end didn't have the usual cutoff t-shirt for the SMU game last season, so he wore an old gray shirt with sleeves. Duckett got a pick during the game and has worn the sleeves ever since.
"I packed it after the bowl game, so I hope coach put it in my bag. If not, I'll have to pull out another gray one and hope it's lucky," he added.
In his career as a Red Raider, Duckett became one of the most dominant ends in school history. The 6-4, 271 pound end currently ranks second on the Tech sacks list with 28 and had four this season. He also holds single-season records in sacks (14 in 2003) and tackles for a loss (24.5 in 2003). After Saturday's game, Duckett is heading straight back to Lubbock to begin intense preparations for the NFL combines in February.
"I don't think I'm going to make the Hula Bowl. If I go I don't know if I'd be focused on football. I'll just start training and get ready for the combine."
While Duckett isn't making the trip to Maui, several of his Red Raider teammates are. Quarterback Sonny Cumbie will be accompanied by offensive linemen Dylan Gandy, Cody Campbell and Daniel Loper. Campbell is also participating in Saturday's Gridiron Bowl in Florida.
The Shrine Game will be broadcast January 15 on ESPN at 1 p.m. The Gridiron Bowl takes place the same day and will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 10 a.m. CT. On January 22, Tech fans can also tune in to watch the Hula Bowl on ESPN at 6 p.m.
