Individual Honors
By: Rhett Kleinschmidt
Updated: July 17, 2008
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech placed three players on the All-Big 12 Preseason
team as wide receiver Michael Crabtree, offensive guard Louis Vasquez and
cornerback Jamar Wall were selected by a panel of media representing the league.
Crabtree was the only unanimous selection among the 27 players
named.
The appearance of both Crabtree and Vasquez on the team marks the first time since the 2005 preseason - wide receiver Jarrett Hicks and running back Taurean Henderson - that two Red Raiders were selected to the team. Wall is the first defensive player named since defensive end Adell Duckett's inclusion on the list in 2004.
Crabtree, the 2007 Biletnikoff Award winner, set NCAA freshman records in receptions (134), receiving yards (1,962) and receiving touchdowns (22) last season and led the country in each. The sophomore was a unanimous consensus All-American in 2007 and was one of eight players such honored across the country. Already a preseason Playboy All-American, Crabtree has been named to several first teams during the summer.
Vasquez was an integral part of Texas Tech's offensive success a year ago, leading a line that yielded a mere 18 sacks in 763 pass attempts - a national-leading average of one sack per every 42.4 pass attempts. An all-conference selection last season that did not allow a single sack, Vasquez has become one of the most dominant linemen in school history and helped lead the program to its fifth NCAA Passing Title.
Wall grabbed five interceptions in 2007, the most in a single-season at Texas Tech since Ryan Aycock's six picks in 2002, and is one of four returning players in the Big 12 with at least five interceptions from last season. Wall recorded 54 tackles a year ago after logging 12 during his true freshman season in 2006.
On Wednesday, the Big 12 released its preseason poll for teams with the Red Raiders being picked to finish third in the Big 12 South by the media. Texas Tech received only three fewer votes than second-place Texas, while Oklahoma was picked to win the division.
In 10 of the previous 12 preseason polls, Texas Tech has finished at or higher than its preseason prediction.
The appearance of both Crabtree and Vasquez on the team marks the first time since the 2005 preseason - wide receiver Jarrett Hicks and running back Taurean Henderson - that two Red Raiders were selected to the team. Wall is the first defensive player named since defensive end Adell Duckett's inclusion on the list in 2004.
Crabtree, the 2007 Biletnikoff Award winner, set NCAA freshman records in receptions (134), receiving yards (1,962) and receiving touchdowns (22) last season and led the country in each. The sophomore was a unanimous consensus All-American in 2007 and was one of eight players such honored across the country. Already a preseason Playboy All-American, Crabtree has been named to several first teams during the summer.
Vasquez was an integral part of Texas Tech's offensive success a year ago, leading a line that yielded a mere 18 sacks in 763 pass attempts - a national-leading average of one sack per every 42.4 pass attempts. An all-conference selection last season that did not allow a single sack, Vasquez has become one of the most dominant linemen in school history and helped lead the program to its fifth NCAA Passing Title.
Wall grabbed five interceptions in 2007, the most in a single-season at Texas Tech since Ryan Aycock's six picks in 2002, and is one of four returning players in the Big 12 with at least five interceptions from last season. Wall recorded 54 tackles a year ago after logging 12 during his true freshman season in 2006.
On Wednesday, the Big 12 released its preseason poll for teams with the Red Raiders being picked to finish third in the Big 12 South by the media. Texas Tech received only three fewer votes than second-place Texas, while Oklahoma was picked to win the division.
In 10 of the previous 12 preseason polls, Texas Tech has finished at or higher than its preseason prediction.
