Oct 28, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Tank Carder (43) covers the zone against the Brigham Young Cougars during the game at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

In an era when so many of the elite college athletes are less than ‘high-character’ guys and we hear about fisticuffs with rappers or bodyguards, exorbitant and unpaid jewelry bills, marijuana arrests, accusations of sexual impropriety, selling memorabilia for services, shenanigans at strip clubs, etc., it was refreshing to research a prospect that appears to be an old-fashioned good American kid.

If you do not know anything about Tank Carder’s story, then I highly recommend that you read this story at ESPN. (How many of you knew that Tank was a competitive BMXer when he was a kid?). The story is from 2009, but it tells about how Carder almost died in a car accident, and how they thought he might be confined to a wheelchair. It also explains his slow return to the football field: forbidden from playing all contact-sports by his Doctor, Tank agreed to play kicker until he was cleared for physical contact.

Thank you to Cody Dubose of Angleton, Texas, for drawing our attention to such an inspiring story, and for the email below:

I was just wondering what the Cowboys think of TCU’s Tank Carder, being that Ft.Worth is so close to Dallas, I’m hoping that Jerry Jones has at least looked at some of his game film. He is an amazing LB and has great work ethic. Right now he is in California working out and striving to improve his already energetic style of play. A close friend of mine that I work with, Charlie, is great friends of Rick and Marti Carder (Tank’s parents). I was looking at one mock draft (The Walter Football Mock Draft) and it had Dallas taking Tank in the 3rd Round with their 82nd pick. I know these are just mocks and a lot can happen between now and draft day, but I was just wanting to know if you think the Cowboys have looked at him.

Thank you for your time,

Cody Dubose

(more…)