Solder Named Walter Camp All-American

EDITOR'S NOTE: On Saturday (Dec. 11), Solder was also named to the Football Writer's Association of America All-America team. He needs to be named to one more squad that the NCAA recognizes to earn consensus honors; the Associated Press team will be released early next week.

ORLANDO, Fla. GÇö The honors keep rolling in for University of Colorado senior Nate Solder, who became the latest Buffalo to earn All-America honors, when he was named to the prestigious Walter Camp All-America team, revealed here Thursday evening at the ESPN Home Depot College Award Show.

Solder, a 6-9, 315 pound left offensive tackle from Buena Vista, is CUGÇÖs first All-American since linebacker Jordon Dizon in 2007. CU also has had several guards and centers earn All-America honors in recent years, but Solder is the first Buffalo offensive tackle to garner the honor since Stan Brock was recognized in 1979. A unanimous All-Big 12 performer, he was the conferenceGÇÖs Offensive Lineman of the Year and one of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes. He graduated last May with a 3.52 grade point in Biology, and has been taking classes toward a second major in Integrative Physiology.

Solder played every snap on offense for the Buffaloes this past fall (847), grading out to an astonishing 94.3 percent for the season. He led the team in knockdown/finishing blocks with 142 (similar to the more familiar term, pancake blocks), and also posted a team-high 10 touchdown blocks. He allowed just one quarterback sack and three pressures (all but one of those in one game), and was called for just one penalty on the year. He graded out at 90 percent or higher in 11 games, including a season-best 99 percent against Kansas State. After moving to tackle from tight end following his redshirt freshman season in 2007, Solder played all but two snaps on offense, or 2,540 of a possible 2,542 plays.

He was also one of three finalists along with Wisconsin left offensive tackle Gabe Carimi and Florida State left guard Rodney Hudson for the Outland Trophy, CUGÇÖs first finalist since guard Joe Garten finished as the runner-up in 1990. Carimi, considered the favorite for the award with the BadgersGÇÖ potent running game and top 10 national team ranking, won as expected. Former CU head coach Dan Hawkins, CUGÇÖs offensive line coach Denver Johnson and former teammate and CU quarterback Cody Hawkins along with SolderGÇÖs parents, Ed and Peri, attended the show.

GÇ£As I learned more and more about the Walter Camp All-America team, I now know what an honor it is to be named to this prestigious team,GÇ¥ Solder said. GÇ£I need to thank my coaches, Dan Hawkins, Denver Johnson and Jeff Pitman, and my teammates. You donGÇÖt become an All-American by yourself; everyone around you helps to make you better and IGÇÖm proud to represent all my teammates with this honor. The exact same applies for being named finalist for the Outland. This week has been a great experience for me.GÇ¥

Solder is one of three Buffaloes along with cornerbacks Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith who will play in next monthGÇÖs Senior Bowl.

The 2010 Walter Camp All-America Team:

First Team Offense

QB Cam Newton, 6-6, 250, Jr., Auburn

RB LaMichael James, 5-9, 185, Soph., Oregon

RB Kendall Hunter, 5-8, 200, Sr., Oklahoma State

WR Justin Blackmon, 6-1, 205, Soph., Oklahoma State

WR Ryan Broyles, 5-11, 183, Jr., Oklahoma

TE Michael Egnew, 6-6, 235, Jr., Missouri

OL Gabe Carimi, 6-7, 327, Sr., Wisconsin

OL Rodney Hudson, 6-2, 282, Sr., Florida State

OL Nate Solder, 6-9, 315, Sr., Colorado

OL Lee Ziemba, 6-8, 319, Sr., Auburn

C Jake Kirkpatrick, 6-3, 305, Sr., TCU

PK Danny Hrapmann, 5-9, 160, Jr,, Southern Miss

First Team Defense

DL Da'Quan Bowers, 6-4, 275, Jr., Clemson

DL Nick Fairley, 6-5, 298, Jr., Auburn

DL Ryan Kerrigan, 6-4, 263, Sr., Purdue

DL Adrian Clayborn, 6-4, 285, Sr., Iowa

LB Luke Kuechly, 6-3, 225, Soph., Boston College

LB Greg Jones, 6-1, 240, Sr., Michigan State

LB Von Miller, 6-3, 243, Sr., Texas A&M

DB Patrick Peterson, 6-1, 222, Jr., LSU

DB Prince Amukamara, 6-1, 205, Sr., Nebraska

DB Jayron Hosley, 5-11, 170, Soph., Virginia Tech

DB Tejay Johnson, 6-1, 212, Sr. TCU

KR Eric Page, 5-10, 180, Soph., Toledo

KR Shaky Smithson, 5-11, 202, Sr., Utah

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