Area players impact 2009 college football season
Posted On: Thursday, Dec. 24 2009 06:18 AM
By Angel Verdejo and Kevin Posival
Killeen Daily HeraldGoing into the 2009 college football season, the headliner among former area football standouts was Copperas Cove's Robert Griffin III.
The quarterback was coming off a 2008 season campaign where he was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Newcomer and Freshman of the Year, not to mention numerous All-American honors. Griffin's season would last just two-and-half games though, as the sophomore suffered a right knee injury that ultimately cost him his season after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
But the area's college focus at the Football Bowl Subdivision level didn't go away when Baylor lost Griffin. In fact, 23 former local standouts were at FBS schools, with many seeing action and a few even leaving a lasting impression as the season is a mere weeks from completion.
Here's a look at a few key standouts from the season, along with the rest of the local players currently at FBS schools
Tim Atchison, Baylor
The former Copperas Cove standout finished fifth for the Bears in solo tackles (29), eighth in total tackles (42) and second in passes broken up (five) in his first season as a regular starter.
Atchison broke his hand during the Kent State game Oct. 3, but the cornerback returned with bandaged hand and didn't miss a game, playing with a cast.
1 – the number of interceptions Atchison now has in his Baylor career, as he recorded his first interception at the Bears' goal line against Iowa State.
Tanner Brock, TCU
The former Copperas Cove linebacker grabbed national attention against SMU when he lost his helmet on a punt return, only to make a big-time block to help spring Jeremy Kerley's 71-yard return.
The linebacker led the Horned Frogs with 13 special teams tackles and received second-team Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele's College Football Preview.
31 – the number of tackles Brock tallied this season, the most by a TCU freshman since Jason Phillips led the Horned Frogs with 71 in 2005.
Donald Buckram, UT-El Paso
The former Coppers Cover running back rewrote the Miner record book, finishing the season with 1,594 yards rushing to break a school record that stood for more than 60 years.
The junior was named to a pair of All-American teams, getting honorable-mention honors by Sports Illustrated and fourth-team honors by Phil Steele's College Football Preview.
He was also a semifinalist for the Doak Walker award, given to the nation's top running back, and ran for 262 yards
and four touchdowns in the Miners upset win over Houston.
132.8 – The number of rushing yards Buckram averaged per game this season, which ranked fourth nationally. The junior also finished fourth in scoring at 10.5 points per game.
Michael Shumard, Texas A&M
The former Harker Heights offensive lineman was an Academic All-Big 12 senior offensive lineman who started 11 of 12 games and helped Texas A&M make a bowl game for the first time since 2007.
Shumard, who started three games at guard and eight games at tackle, helped the team rush for 190.4 yards per game and reach Monday's Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La. against Georgia.
22 – The number of consecutive starts Shumard had on the Texas A&M offensive line before missing one game this season with a sprained ankle.
Keith Smith, Purdue
The former Shoemaker quaterback led the Big 10 in receptions (7.6) and yards (91.7) as a junior en route to earning an all-conference first-team selection by the media.
Smith finished the season with 1,100 receiving yards – Purdue's 12th 1,000-yard receiving season in school history – and six touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass this season.
6 – The number of 100-yard receiving games Smith had this season for the Boilermakers, including four straight that tied Rodney Carter's 1985 school record.