Senior outside tackle Nate Solder, shown here during a Sept. 18 game against Hawaii, has been named a Walter Camp All-American. (CU Independent/Patrick Ghidossi)
Already the recipient of several honors, including being named the Big 12 Offensive Linesman of the Year, Solder added yet another accolade to his growing trophy case. The senior was named to the Walter Camp All-American team, announced on Thursday evening at the ESPN Home Depot College Award Show.
“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,” Solder said in a news release. “I need to thank my coaches, Dan Hawkins, Denver Johnson and Jeff Pitman, and my teammates.”
The 6-foot-9 Solder is the first outside tackler named All-American since Stan Brock in 1979. He is the first Buff to earn All-American honors since linebacker Jordan Dizon in 2007.
“You don’t become an All-American by yourself; everyone around you helps to make you better and I’m proud to represent all my teammates with this honor,” Solder said. “The exact same applies for being named finalist for the Outland. This week has been a great experience for me.”
Solder has more than football distinctions under his belt.
He is already an owner of a CU degree, which he earned in biology last May with a 3.52 grade point average. He is currently taking classes in integrative physiology as a second major.
Solder was also finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best linesmen. He was one of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes.
Solder will play alongside the Buffs’ talented cornerback tandem of Jalil Brown and Jimmy Smith in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. taking place next month.
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 Lee Ziemba, 6-8, 319, Sr., Auburn
OL Nate Solder, 6-9, 315, Sr., Colorado
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
Contact CU Independent Sports Editor Esteban L. Hernandez at Esteban.hernandez@colorado.edu.
1 comment
Nate Solder is a great player. Kudos to his honors and achievements. He is definitely Pro bound. When he is drafted it will be interesting to see what team gets him. Im sure his pro career will be extraordinary as well. Thank you for this article