Carter Named to Lombardi List
August 18, 2009 | Football
Aug. 18, 2009
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech offensive lineman and preseason All-American Brandon Carter (Longview, Texas) has been named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, announced Tuesday by the Rotary Lombardi Award organization. The award is presented annually to the nation's top interior lineman. Carter, a preseason All-American, also is a candidate for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation's top offensive lineman.
Carter, a 6-foot-7, 344-pound, guard returns for his senior season as one of the nation's top interior lineman after a successful junior campaign that notched him numerous all-conference and All-America honors. Earlier this summer he was named a preseason first-team All-American by NationalChamps.net and a second-team selection by Phil Steele Magazine.
Last season when he didn't allow a sack from his right guard position, Carter became the first offensive lineman since Charles Odiorne in 1989 to earn first-team All-America honors. Carter received first-team nods from both The Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association. Offensive tackle Rylan Reed was a Walter Camp All-American and guard Louis Vasquez picked up Associated Press third-team honors as Texas Tech boasted what was arguably the most talented line in school history.
Not only did quarterback Graham Harrell benefit from the protection of Carter and his teammates, but the running game also flourished. For the first time since the 1979 season, Texas Tech rushed for 100 yards each in 10 games and scored 28 touchdowns on the ground, two shy of the school record set in 1993. Running back Baron Batch averaged 6.7 yards per carry, the highest per rush average since George Smith's 6.9 in 1972.
Texas Tech is currently in preseason camp and opens the 2009 season Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. against North Dakota at Jones AT&T Stadium. For ticket information, contact the Texas Tech Athletic Ticket Office at (806) 742-TECH or (888) GO-BIG-12 or purchase tickets on-line at www.texastech.com.
