University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Carter named to Raycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list
Jul 20, 2020 | Football
Senior cornerback T.J. Carter is one of 49 players on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List announced Monday.
Honored on three all-conference teams (two times on the second team, once as an honorable mention), Carter has appeared in 39 career games at Memphis. He has 176 total tackles in his Tiger career, including 142 solos, adding six tackles for loss and one sack. He comes into his senior campaign with seven career interceptions, 37 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He had started 39 straight games before a season-ending injury in the regular season finale against Cincinnati in 2019 cost him a chance to play in the AAC Championship game and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
As a true freshman in 2017, Carter was immediately a part of Memphis' lineup. He set a Memphis freshman record with five interceptions and finished with 69 total tackles, including 54 solos, 16 pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He earned FWAA, USA Today and ESPN Freshman All-America honors and was named the AAC Rookie of the Year.
In his sophomore season, Tiger opponents largely stayed away from his side of the field, but he still tallied 68 tackles, 58 solos, and led the team with 12 PBU. He was named second team all-conference for a second straight season and helped Memphis to its second West Division title in the AAC.
In 2019, Carter again held down his side of the field, finishing with 39 tackles, including 30 solos, and finished second on the team with seven pass breakups. He also recorded his first career sack as a junior, in a win over West Division foe Tulane and was named honorable mention all-conference after helping the Tigers to a third West Division title and their first outright AAC Championship.
Carter is part of a defensive unit preparing for its first season under new coordinator Mike MacIntyre. MacIntyre, a two-time National Coach of the Year, joined the Memphis staff under new coach Ryan Silverfield in January.
The preseason watch list is compiled by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. A screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, will narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists on the first Monday of November. The committee will also add players to the list as the season progresses.
Presented annually since 1986 to the best defensive back in college football, the award is named for multi-sport athlete Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled on both sides of the ball, as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball and as a defensive back. In addition to his football honors, he also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
Memphis is scheduled to open its 2020 season against Mid-South foe Arkansas State on September 5.
Honored on three all-conference teams (two times on the second team, once as an honorable mention), Carter has appeared in 39 career games at Memphis. He has 176 total tackles in his Tiger career, including 142 solos, adding six tackles for loss and one sack. He comes into his senior campaign with seven career interceptions, 37 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
He had started 39 straight games before a season-ending injury in the regular season finale against Cincinnati in 2019 cost him a chance to play in the AAC Championship game and the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
As a true freshman in 2017, Carter was immediately a part of Memphis' lineup. He set a Memphis freshman record with five interceptions and finished with 69 total tackles, including 54 solos, 16 pass breakups, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He earned FWAA, USA Today and ESPN Freshman All-America honors and was named the AAC Rookie of the Year.
In his sophomore season, Tiger opponents largely stayed away from his side of the field, but he still tallied 68 tackles, 58 solos, and led the team with 12 PBU. He was named second team all-conference for a second straight season and helped Memphis to its second West Division title in the AAC.
In 2019, Carter again held down his side of the field, finishing with 39 tackles, including 30 solos, and finished second on the team with seven pass breakups. He also recorded his first career sack as a junior, in a win over West Division foe Tulane and was named honorable mention all-conference after helping the Tigers to a third West Division title and their first outright AAC Championship.
Carter is part of a defensive unit preparing for its first season under new coordinator Mike MacIntyre. MacIntyre, a two-time National Coach of the Year, joined the Memphis staff under new coach Ryan Silverfield in January.
The preseason watch list is compiled by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. A screening committee, consisting of OSHOF members, will narrow the field to 10 to 15 semifinalists on the first Monday of November. The committee will also add players to the list as the season progresses.
Presented annually since 1986 to the best defensive back in college football, the award is named for multi-sport athlete Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled on both sides of the ball, as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball and as a defensive back. In addition to his football honors, he also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
Memphis is scheduled to open its 2020 season against Mid-South foe Arkansas State on September 5.
Players Mentioned
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