The 2010 TCU football team looks like it might be even better than last year's and junior linebacker Tank Carder will play a big role in that. Granted, this isn't a slant on last year's Horned Frogs, who "busted the BCS" for the first time in school history. It is however, a tribute to a defense that has potential to exceed last year's success. Much of the defensive success this time around will hinge on Carder's performance.
As the opener at "Jerry World" draws near, Examiner continues to preview the 2010 TCU Horned Frogs by looking at this season's key players. Part one looked at quarterback Andy Dalton and the second part shifts from the offense to the defense.
The Horned Frogs lost two of the best defensive players that TCU has seen in a while in Jerry Hughes and Daryl Washington to graduation and the NFL. While they won't be "replaced," there is room for a leader to emerge for the new season. Carder may just be that guy.
He returns to a defense that topped the nation in 2009 in terms of yards allowed. Considering the trend of Patterson defenses over the last decade, the chances of repeating are high. With Carder emerging to lead, the chances look even better.
He returns for his second season as a starter and third overall for the Frogs. The Sweeny, TX native seemingly came out of nowhere to become a big name for this big defense. He finished the season with 89 total tackles, including ten for a loss and one interception, which came against Utah. The pick was seemingly the biggest one of the season for the Frogs. ESPN College Gameday's Reece Davis awarded Carder with a helmet sticker for his 15-yard interception return. He also tallied a career-high nine tackles along with a pass breakup in the game.
At the end of his seventh grade year, it looked like he would never even play football again. Carder sustained major, life-threatening injuries after a single-vehicle accident broke his back in two places and broke seven ribs, which punctured vital organs. Doctors feared that if he lived he would never be able to walk again. In fact, Tank never received medical clearance for contact until his junior year of high school. A lot has changed since then.
Considered by many as the team's most all-out player, the only knock on him is his experience. (Note that's not the opinion of this writer) This criticism comes despite that he started all of 2009 and finished second on the team in total tackles. As if last year wasn't enough of an indication about his promise, he'll see plenty of action in 2010.
Born Ricky, Jr., he received the nickname "Tank" because of his large size as an infant. His full-throttle approach on the football field has made him live up to that nickname. Now he has the chance to lead the charge for one of college football's best defenses. While Tank will face Air Force on October 23, it might take an entire army to take him down.
Players to watch:
QB Andy Dalton
Receiver Jeremy Kerley
Go back to the Mountain West Conference season preview.
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