Fresno State Athletics
Carter Headed to Blitzburgh
4/30/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 30, 2011
FRESNO, Calif. - For a man who loves to pressure the quarterback, Bulldog Chris Carter couldn't have been picked by a better team.
Carter, Fresno State's outstanding defensive end for the last four seasons, was selected in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Carter was among the nation's sack leaders in his senior season at Fresno State with 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for a loss. He was selected the WAC's Defensive Player of the Year after earning first-team All-WAC honors for two straight seasons. He helped Fresno State become one of the top sack teams in the NCAA last season. He finished his career with 19.5 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss. Carter played most of career in Fresno State's 4-3 scheme as a rush end, but started as an outside backer his true freshman season. He moved down due to line injuries where he found a home and became a four-year starter.
Carter heads to an organization that has won a record six Super Bowls and become notorious under defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau for pressuring quarterbacks. The Steeler defense has often been tabbed "Blitzburgh" in recent years after producing such Pro Bowl players like Troy Polamalu, and linebackers James Harrison, Lamar Woodley, James Farrior and Greg Lloyd.
"This is a great opportunity for Chris," said head coach Pat Hill. "He will be in a very competitive environment in a franchise that is used to playing in Super Bowls. He's going to be surrounded by some of the best defensive minds in the game. Chris plays with great passion and that's something the Steelers have always prided themselves on. It's a great fit for him and we are very happy for him."
Carter wasn't the only Bulldog selected in the draft. Offensive guard Andrew Jackson was selected with the seventh pick of the the seventh round by the Atlanta Falcons. Jackson, an All-WAC player and first-team Academic All-American, suffered an injury in his senior season that cost him most of the season. Jackson was a stalwart at right guard for four seasons for the Bulldogs and was the top lineman on a unit that opened holes for 2009 NCAA rushing leader Ryan Mathews, a first round NFL pick by the San Diego Chargers last season. Jackson was also a special teams standout blocking three kicks in his career.
"No one had a tougher senior season than Andrew Jackson," said Hill. "It was tough on him and tough on us as a team to not have him in the lineup. He's as tough and smart as the come. He's a proven player and I expect he will make his mark in Atlanta. He's a bright guy, already earned his degree and working on a Master's degree."
Under Hill the Dogs have had 26 players drafted into the NFL in the last 14 years. At least one Bulldog has been drafted into the NFL in seven of the last eight seasons and Hill has coached three first round picks, 2002 NFL No. 1 overall pick David Carr, Pro Bowler Logan Mankins by New England in 2005 and running back Ryan Mathews, No. 12 overall by San Diego last year.
Not counting Carter and Jackson or any other Dogs who are expected to signed free agent deals when the CBA is resolved, Fresno State has 27 players on NFL rosters. Only three schools in the West - USC, Cal and Oregon - have more. The Dogs have more current NFL players than any school in the WAC or Mountain West Conference and more than nine of the schools from the Pac-12 Conference.
"We Are Your Team" - Fresno State opens the 2011 season on Sept. 3 at San Francisco's Candlestick Park against the Cal Bears. BUY FRESNO STATE VS. CAL TICKETS
