College football: Accolades pour in for Army linebacker Carter
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WEST POINT – The preseason awards and watch list recognition keep pouring in for Army linebacker Andre Carter III.
On Monday, Carter was named to the Pro Football Network (PFN) second-team defense preseason all-American list. Last week, he was named to preseason watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award and Walter Camp player of the year.
Previously, he was selected to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award. He was selected as a preseason all-American by The Sporting News (second team) and Phil Steele magazine, and was an all-independent selection by Steele.
Carter is coming off a banner junior season when he was named an AP All-American third-team pick (Army’s first since 1990) after posting 44 total tackles, with 18.5 going for lost yardage, and a single-season Army record with 15.5 sacks, ranked No. 2 nationally. He also forced four fumbles, blocked one kick and made one interception.
The PFN recognition takes into account not only what Carter has accomplished thus far at West Point but also projecting into a potential pro career. Some analysts point to him as a potential upper-round NFL draft choice.
The Lombardi goes to the top offensive or defensive lineman in the nation, and takes into account outstanding performance and ability and exemplifies the character and discipline of Hall of Fame head coach and two-time Super Bowl winner Vince Lombardi. The Bednarik goes to the nation’s top defensive player. The Camp award goes to the best overall player.
“Andre is definitely a plus-factor,’’ said fellow lineman Kwabena Bonsu. “It definitely helps out the rest of the line seeing how his presence alone just guarantees and forces other teams to have to block up certain schemes differently, which gives other guys better chances to go in there and just make plays.’’
In addition, junior running back Tyrell Robinson was put up for the Hornung Award and senior safety Marquel Broughton was named to the watch list for the Wuefel Trophy.
Up for grabs
The Army quarterback job may come down to a two-man chase between Tyhier Tyler and unbeaten high school and collegian Cade Ballard, but don’t count out past starter Jemel Jones.
More:SATURDAY PRACTICE
“We all just go out there and try to give our best effort,’’ Jones said Monday.
Jones said the quarterback room is different without graduates Christian Anderson and Jabari Laws but the cohesiveness and mission of the candidates hasn’t changed.
“Camp’s going pretty good for all of us,’’ Jones said. “We could finally see the work that we put in the summer starting to pay off. There’s still some little things we need to work on here and there but overall we like where we’re at. We’re not satisfied, of course, but we like the direction that we’re going.’’
By all means
The crucible of military training is just as important to bring team members together as the bonds formed during football activities.
“I think it benefits us in a huge way,’’ said kicker Cole Talley. “For example, two summers ago, me and (linebacker) Spencer Jones were out and we were sleeping in the rain and we’re freezing cold. We were close before but now we’re like that,’’ he said, interlocking his fingers to show the close bond.
More:CAMP OPENS WITH ENTHUSIASM
“Going through all that training and stuff in the summer … we’re very compact and we’re usually all tight knit (and) we spend a lot of time together. It really builds team camaraderie. I think it benefits us in the long run.’’
Notable
The first scrimmage of preseason camp takes place on Saturday. The season opener is Sept. 3 at Coastal Carolina. The home opener is Sept. 10 against Texas San Antonio.
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army linebacker Andre Carter named all-American Pro Football Network
