TCU center Jake Kirkpatrick, Jeremy Kerley and Tank Carder have been recognized by Sporting News for their strengths in the upcoming football preseason.

Sporting News tabbed Kirkpatrick a first-team preseason All-American, while Kerley is a second-team selection at punt returner and Carder a third-team pick at linebacker.

Kirkpatrick, who sets the Horned Frogs’ blocking scheme on each play, was a
first-team All-American last season and one of six finalists for the Rimington Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top center. He remains one of the six finalists to return this season.

A senior from Tyler, Texas, Kirkpatrick appears on 2010 watch lists for the
Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.

Kerley was named to three All-America teams last season and was the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. He was one of only two players (Javier Arenas, Alabama) in the nation to rank in the top seven in punt returns (14.4 yards) and the top 22 in kickoff returns (26.6 yards). He led the MWC in both categories.

Kerley returned two punts for touchdowns. His 563 punt return yards broke Davey O’Brien’s single-season TCU record from 1937.

Kerley also led the Frogs with 44 receptions, more than doubling the 20 he had from his first two seasons combined.

Carder appeared on watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Rotary Lombardi Award.

A junior from Sweeny, Texas, Carder was an All-Mountain West Conference selection in his first year as a starter in 2009. His 89 tackles placed second on TCU behind only Daryl Washington (109) and were 19 more than the next-closest Horned Frog (Alex Ibiloye, 70).

Carder was third on TCU with 10 tackles for loss. He topped the Horned Frogs while tying for second in the MWC with 10 pass breakups.