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Branch Named Semifinalist for Ted Hendricks Award

Nov. 23, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson defensive end Andre Branch is one of 19 players named to the Final Mid-Season Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award. The honor goes to the top defensive end in college football and is named after former Miami (FL) defensive end Ted Hendricks. Last year’s recipient was Clemson’s DaQuan Bowers.

Branch is the only ACC player on the list. The native of Richmond, VA leads the ACC in sacks and ranks 13th in the nation with 8.5 so far this season. He also leads the Tigers and ranks third in the ACC in tackles for loss. Branch is Clemson’s top tackler with 69 stops and he is trying to become the first defensive lineman since 1984 to lead the Tigers in tackles. William Perry is the last defensive lineman to do it.

Branch has 53 first hits and 16 assists so far this year. He also had 15 quarterback pressures. His top game came in the win over 10th ranked Virginia Tech on October 1 when he had four sacks and six tackles for loss to tie Clemson single game records in both categories. He had 11 total tackles in that game and was named ACC player of the Week by Rivals.com. Former Clemson All-American Keith Adams had four sacks and six tackles for loss against Duke in 1999.

2011 Ted Hendricks Award Final Mid-Season Watch List Frank Alexander, Oklahoma Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma StateAndre Branch, Clemson Norly Capi, Colorado State Vinny Curry, Marshall Adrian Hamilton, Prairie View Travis Johnson, San Jose State Brandon Joiner, Arknasas State Mario Kurn, San Diego Christian Lacey, Louisiana Tech Corey Lemonier, Auburn Stansly Maponga, TCU Whitney Mercilus, Illinois Sam Montgomery, LSU Nick Perry, Southern California Scott Solomon, Rice Taylor Thompson, SMU Tyrunn Walker, Tulsa Trevardo Williams, UCONN

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