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Smith, Carpenter Garner Preseason Accolades
7/26/2018 9:32:00 AM | Football
Gopher seniors named to prestigious preseason watch lists
University of Minnesota seniors Rodney Smith and Emmit Carpenter were named to preseason watch lists this morning. Smith was placed on the Paul Hornung Award watch list, while Carpenter ended up on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list.
Smith is one of 43 players nationally on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Smith was previously named to the watch lists for the Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award.
Smith is one of the most versatile players in college football, as he can run, catch and return. The Georgia native has rushed 626 times (sixth all-time in school history) for 2,805 yards (eighth all-time in school history) in 37 career games. He has scored 21 career rushing touchdowns, which ranks tied for ninth in school history and his career long rush of 70 yards came at Maryland in 2016. He has 10 career 100-yard rushing games, which ranks eighth in program history and he rushed for a career high 153 yards against Purdue in 2016.
Smith also has 56 career receptions for 419 yards and has returned 22 kicks for 626 yards, which includes two touchdowns. His career long 100-yard kick return came against Nebraska in 2017 and in that game he had 279 all-purpose yards (10 receiving, 134 rushing and 135 kick return), which was tied for the seventh most in school history.
Smith has 3,850 all-purpose yards (2,805 rushing, 419 receiving and 626 kick return) on his resume and ranks eighth in school history. He needs 1,260 all-purpose yards in 2018 to break Darrell Thompson's school record of 5,109.
In his career, Smith has been named All-Big Ten Third Team (2016) and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2017). He also received the team's Bronko Nagurski Award (Team MVP) in 2016 and 2017 and in 2016 he was honored with the team's Bruce Smith Award (Outstanding Offensive Player) and was named the Bob McNamara Offensive Back of the Year.
Smith has already graduated with a degree in Human Development and Youth Studies. During his time in Dinkytown, he has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club and also interned with Hennepin County Child Protection Services.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented annually in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Carpenter, who was named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award yesterday, is a stalwart in the community. He can routinely be found visiting patients at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital and helped organize the "Can O'Corn Food Drive" and "A Very Specialist Holiday Season" with his fellow specialists last season. Through their efforts they were able to take donations that went toward Thanksgiving meals and bought toys for the children's hospital.
Carpenter has made 36-of-44 career field goals and his 81.8 field goal conversion rate ranks first in program history and ranks second among active kickers with at least 35 field goals. His 36 career field goals rank him seventh in school history. He has made 22-of-29 field goals at TCF Bank Stadium, 13-of-14 on the road and 1-of-1 in neutral-site games. Carpenter is 30-of-38 on FieldTurf and is a perfect 6-of-6 on natural grass. In addition, he has made 74-of-75 career point-after attempts.
He has also found success off the field, as he was named Academic All-Big Ten and CoSida Academic All-District in 2016 and 2017. He was also honored with the team's Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award (great character on and off the field) in 2017. Carpenter is a majoring in supply chain operations and is interning with Minneapolis-based Sleep Number this summer.
Smith is one of 43 players nationally on the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. Smith was previously named to the watch lists for the Doak Walker Award and the Maxwell Award.
Smith is one of the most versatile players in college football, as he can run, catch and return. The Georgia native has rushed 626 times (sixth all-time in school history) for 2,805 yards (eighth all-time in school history) in 37 career games. He has scored 21 career rushing touchdowns, which ranks tied for ninth in school history and his career long rush of 70 yards came at Maryland in 2016. He has 10 career 100-yard rushing games, which ranks eighth in program history and he rushed for a career high 153 yards against Purdue in 2016.
Smith also has 56 career receptions for 419 yards and has returned 22 kicks for 626 yards, which includes two touchdowns. His career long 100-yard kick return came against Nebraska in 2017 and in that game he had 279 all-purpose yards (10 receiving, 134 rushing and 135 kick return), which was tied for the seventh most in school history.
Smith has 3,850 all-purpose yards (2,805 rushing, 419 receiving and 626 kick return) on his resume and ranks eighth in school history. He needs 1,260 all-purpose yards in 2018 to break Darrell Thompson's school record of 5,109.
In his career, Smith has been named All-Big Ten Third Team (2016) and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2017). He also received the team's Bronko Nagurski Award (Team MVP) in 2016 and 2017 and in 2016 he was honored with the team's Bruce Smith Award (Outstanding Offensive Player) and was named the Bob McNamara Offensive Back of the Year.
Smith has already graduated with a degree in Human Development and Youth Studies. During his time in Dinkytown, he has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club and also interned with Hennepin County Child Protection Services.
The Wuerffel Trophy, known as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service," is presented annually in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.
Carpenter, who was named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award yesterday, is a stalwart in the community. He can routinely be found visiting patients at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital and helped organize the "Can O'Corn Food Drive" and "A Very Specialist Holiday Season" with his fellow specialists last season. Through their efforts they were able to take donations that went toward Thanksgiving meals and bought toys for the children's hospital.
Carpenter has made 36-of-44 career field goals and his 81.8 field goal conversion rate ranks first in program history and ranks second among active kickers with at least 35 field goals. His 36 career field goals rank him seventh in school history. He has made 22-of-29 field goals at TCF Bank Stadium, 13-of-14 on the road and 1-of-1 in neutral-site games. Carpenter is 30-of-38 on FieldTurf and is a perfect 6-of-6 on natural grass. In addition, he has made 74-of-75 career point-after attempts.
He has also found success off the field, as he was named Academic All-Big Ten and CoSida Academic All-District in 2016 and 2017. He was also honored with the team's Tony Dungy Character and Community Service Award (great character on and off the field) in 2017. Carpenter is a majoring in supply chain operations and is interning with Minneapolis-based Sleep Number this summer.
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