Brandon Tate was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.
2009 (2/1/0/0): Activated to the 53-man roster from the reserve/non-football injury list on Oct. 25 ... Played in his first NFL game in the Patriots' 35-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium (10/25).
at Tampa Bay (10/25): Played in his first NFL game, playing at wide receiver against the Buccaneers ... Broke off an 11-yard gain on an end-around on his first play from scrimmage ... Returned two kickoffs for 44 yards. Miami (11/8): Made his first NFL start as the Patriots opened in a four wide receiver set ... Returned two kickoffs for 62 yards.
Tate established an NCAA combined kick return yardage record (3,523 yards) and was 304 yards shy of the NCAA record for kickoff return yardage set by Jeff Liggon of Tulane (2,992 yards, 1993-96), as the Tar Heel generated 2,688 yards.
Tate needed just 165 punt return yards to become the eleventh player in NCAA history with 1,000 yards on both kickoff and punt returns (835 punt return yards). The Atlantic Coast Conference's all-time kick returner holds the school season
and career-records for kicks returned for touchdowns (three in 2006, six for his career). He is one of only nine players in NCAA history to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game (Duke, 2006).
At Cummings High school, Tate earned All-Area honors from the Burlington Times-News. He was a member of the Greensboro News & Record All-Area team and also earned All-Conference accolades, helping the team to the state finals
as a junior and the semi-finals as a senior.
In his final campaign, Tate had 66 receptions for 1,213 yards and 18 touchdowns in fifteen games. He also returned kicks and played defensive back. In 2003, he pulled down 22 catches for 496 yards (22.5 avg) and eight touchdowns. He lettered three times in football, adding three more in basketbalL. As the team's shooting guard, he led the Cummings High hoops squad to the state title during his junior season.
Tate enrolled at North Carolina in 2005, where he was one of seven true freshmen to letter. He was used strictly on special teams, ranking second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 25.81-yard average on 21 kickoff returns that included one touchdown. He also ranked third in the league with 29 punt returns for 267 yards (9.21 avg), as he led the Tar Heels with 809 all-purpose yards.
As a sophomore, Tate continued to perform mostly on special teams. He did manage to get some action with the offense, catching five passes for 72 yards (14.4 avg) and gaining 20 yards on three carries. He ranked second in the conference with a 9.7 -yard average on 20 punt returns that included one touchdown. He also returned 38 kickoffs for 902 yards (23.7 avg) and two scores, as his total of three kicks returned for touchdowns and two scores vs. Duke set school records. His 1,188 all-purpose yards led the squad and ranked sixth in the ACC.
Tate shared flanker duties with Brooks Foster in 2007, but started all twelve games. He piled up 1,765 all-purpose yards, leading the conference with an average of 147.08 yards per game. He tallied 939 yards on 39 kickoff returns (24.08 avg, fourth in the ACe), 216 yards and a score on 23 punt returns (9.39 avg) and 131 yards on twelve carries that included another touchdown. He also placed third on the team with a career-high 25 receptions for 479 yards (19.2 avg) and five touchdowns, earning AII-ACC honorable mention.
As a senior, Tate was again named AII-ACC honorable mention, as he snatched sixteen passes for 376 yards (23.5 avg) and three touchdowns, adding 143 yards and a score on eleven reverses (13.0 avg). He also scored once on seven punt returns, averaging 22.6 yards per attempt while posting 305 yards on eleven kickoff returns (27.7 avg). Despite missing the final seven games, he ranked second on the team with 982 all-purpose yards and if he had qualified (did not have the minimum touches), his average of 163.67 all-purpose yards per game would have ranked eleventh in the nation and lead the ACC.
CAREER NOTES
Tate started 18-of-41 games at North Carolina, gaining 4,744 all-purpose yards that included 927 yards and eight touchdowns on 46 receptions (20.15 avg), 294 yards and two scores on 26 carries (11.31 avg), 835 yards with three touchdowns on 79 punt returns (10.57 avg) and 2,688 yards with three more scores on 109 kickoff returns (24.66 avg)... His 3,523 yards in total kick returns (punts and kickoffs) set the NCAA all-time record, breaking the previous mark of 3,455 yards by Deltha O'Neal of California (1,169 on punts, 2,286 on kickoffs, 1996-99)... His 2,688 yards on kickoff returns was 304 yards shy of the NCAA record for kickoff return yardage set by Jeff Liggon of Tulane (2,992 yards, 1993- 96) and topped the old Atlantic Coast Conference record of 2,313 yards by Eric Blount of North Carolina (1988-91)... His 835 yards gained on punt returns rank second in school annals behind Greg Poole (916 yards, 1979-82) and placed 13th in conference history... His 4,744 all-purpose yards rank fourth in Tar Heel annals behind Atlantic Coast Conference record holder, Leon Johnson (5,828; 1993-96), Don McCauley (5,014; 1968-70) and Amos Lawrence (4,928; 1977-80)... Holds the two top spots on the school season-record lists for kickoff returns and yardage (38 for 902 in 2006 and 39 for 939 in 2007)... His 835 yards in punt returns placed second in school history behind Charlie Justice (966 yards, 1946-49)... His combined 188 kicks returned surpassed the previous school career-record of 177 by Eric Blount (1988-91)... His two kicks returned for touchdowns vs. Duke in 2006, combined three touchdown returns in 2006 and combined six returns for his career are all school records... Set another Tar Heel record by averaging 49.7 yards on three kickoff returns vs. Utah in 2005... His 82-yard punt return vs. McNeese State in 2008 is the ninth-longest return in school history... His 206
yards gained on kickoff returns vs. Duke in 2006 is another UNC game-record... His 97-yard kickoff return vs. Duke in 2006 was the third-longest run back in school history, topped by Tyrell Godwin (100 vs. Stanford, 1998) and Delbert Powell (98 vs. Wake Forest, 1976)... Set the school game-record with 397 all-purpose yards vs. McNeese State in 2008, the second-best game total in ACC history behind the 411 yards gained by John Leach of Wake Forest vs. Maryland in 1993.
2008 - Senior Season
Suffered a knee injury against Notre Dame and missed the final seven games of the season • At the time of the injury, ranked 13th in the nation with 163.7 all-purpose yards per game, fifth in punt returns (22.6) and 18th in kickoff returns (27.7) • Also led the ACC in all-purpose average and punt return average and was fourth in the ACC in receiving yards per game (62.7) and third in kick return average • When injured ranked second at Carolina with 376 receiving yards on just 16 catches for a 23.5-yard average • Also was the Tar Heels' third leading rusher with 143 yards on 11 carries • Set the NCAA record for combined kick return yardage (punts and kickoffs) in the win at Miami • Finished with 3,523 career kick return yards to pass Deltha O'Neal of Cal (3,455 yards from 1996-99) • Also 304 yards shy of the NCAA record for kickoff return yardage set by Jeff Liggon of Tulane (2,992 yards from 1993-96) • Needed just 165 punt return yards to become the 11th player in NCAA history with 1,000 yards on both kickoff and punt returns • Returned one punt for nine yards against Notre Dame before leaving with a knee injury • Had two catches for 17 yards against Connecticut • Made three catches for 62 yards, including a long of 37 yards at Miami and was named one of the team's offensive players of the week • Also completed his first career pass for 12 yards • Returned three kickoffs for 67 yards versus the Hurricanes • Had three catches for 66 yards and scored on a 32-yard reception against Virginia Tech • Also rushed two times for 16 yards and added 104 kickoff return yards against the Hokies • Scored on a 69-yard pass and a 12-yard run at Rutgers • Posted a career-high 138 receiving yards on four catches against the Scarlet Knights • Also rushed for 19 yards and posted 62 yards on returns • Set a school record with 397 all-purpose yards on just 11 touches against McNeese State surpassing 339 yards by Derrick Fenner against Virginia in 1986 • The total was the second most in ACC history • Against the Cowboys had 93 receiving yards, 106 rushing yards, 142 punt return yards and 56 kick return yards for 36.1 yards per touch • With the 106 yards rushing, became the first UNC wide receiver with a 100-yard rushing game • Set the school record for highest single-game punt return average (min. three) against McNeese with a 47.3 yard mark • Earned ACC Specialist of the Week Honors Sept. 1 for his efforts against McNeese State and was named Carolina's player of the week for both offense and special teams.
2007 - Junior Season
Needed just three seasons to set ACC career records for kickoff return yards (2,383) and returns (98) • Led the ACC with 147.1 all-purpose yards per game • Tallied 1,765 all-purpose yards and a team-high seven touchdowns • Averaged 17.8 yards per touch (1,765 yards on 99 touches) • Recorded 479 yards receiving on just 25 catches (19.2 yards/catch) and tallied five receiving touchdowns • Averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return and 9.4 yards per punt return with one score • Had two catches for 18 yards and a 9-yard TD in the win over Duke • Also added a combined 44 return yards and had a 32-yard run • Was named one of the team's offensive players of the week in the win over the Blue Devils • Combined for 68 return yards and had three catches for 45 yards at Georgia Tech • Posted 168 all-purpose yards at NC State, including two catches for 68 yards • Caught a 50-yard pass from fullback Bobby Rome for his fourth receiving TD on the season • Combined for 106 return yards on eight attempts vs. Maryland • Tallied 211 all-purpose yards at Wake Forest, including 31 receiving yards on three catches and 18 rushing yards on three carries • Had one catch for 18 yards vs. South Carolina and missed the second half with a head injury • Compiled 223 all-purpose yards in the win over Miami (64 rush, 54 receiving, 98 kickoff, 7 punt) and was named one of the team's co-offensive players of the week • Had a 54-yard TD run and now has scored via run, reception and punt return this season • Also added three catches for 54 yards •Had three catches for 31 yards and totaled 108 all-purpose yards at Virginia Tech • Returned six kickoffs for 160 yards and made one catch for six yards at USF • Had two catches for 32 yards against Virginia • Tied Charlie Justice's school record with his fifth career return for a touchdown with a 58-yard punt return at ECU • Named ACC?Specialist of the Week for his efforts • Also had three catches for 102 yards and two scores (39, 51 yards) against the Pirates • Caught two passes for 74 yards and one touchdown versus James Madison • First catch of the season was a 28-yard TD reception, the first of his career • Later in the game, he made a spectacular catch, laying out for a 46-yard reception to set up another touchdown • Also rushed twice for 15 yards.
2006 - Sophomore Season
Ranked second in the ACC in punt return average (9.7) and sixth in kickoff return average (23.7) • Led the ACC and was one of only three players in the country with two kickoff returns for touchdowns • Became just the third person in UNC?history and the ninth player in NCAA?history to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game • Returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown with 17 seconds remaining in the first half of Carolina's 45-44 victory at Duke • The 97-yarder equaled the third-longest in school history • Also returned a 54-yard punt for a touchdown in the Duke win •Joins Charlie Justice (vs. Florida in 1946) and Eric Blount (vs. William & Mary in 1991) as the only Carolina players to ever return a punt and kickoff for a touchdown in the same game • Tate's 54-yard punt return for a score was Carolina's first punt return (other than a blocked kick) for a touchdown since Michael Waddell had an 89-yarder at Oklahoma in 2001 • Finished the game with five punt returns for 69 yards and four kickoff returns for 139 yards • Had a career-high 38 yards receiving on two receptions in the win over NC?State, including a 26 yarder • Returned one kickoff for 31 yards and two punts for 16 yards against the Wolfpack • Had two punt returns for 16 yards and two kickoff returns for 51 yards, including a long of 31 against Georgia Tech • On a kickoff, faked a handoff to Quinton Person and then kept the ball for himself and raced 90 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter at Notre Dame • Had three kickoff returns for 54 yards, including a long of 21 • Returned three punts for 19 yards, including a long of 12, and three kickoffs for 84 yards, including a season-long 42-yarder, at Virginia • Had five kickoff returns for 85 yards, including a long of 22, and had one punt return for two yards against USF • Returned three kickoffs for 58 yards (long of 30), had four punt returns for 26 yards (long of nine) and caught a four-yard pass at Miami • Had five kickoff returns for 75 yards, including a long of 23, against Clemson • Fumbled one kickoff return against the Tigers • Returned two kickoffs for 62 yards, including a long of 34, in the win over Furman • Also had an 11-yard rush on a reverse play • Had two receptions for 30 yards against Virginia Tech • Made his first career reception on a 17-yard pass from Cameron Sexton • It was also Sexton's first career completion • Tate had two punt returns for 30 yards, including a long of 34 yards, and two kickoff returns for 30 yards, against Virginia Tech • Had a solid game as Carolina's kickoff return man against Rutgers • Had three returns for 87 yards, including a long of 34.
2005 - Freshman Season
Played in all 11 games as the kick returner • One of seven true freshman to see action • Had 21 kickoff returns for 542 yards, an average of 25.8, and 29 punt returns for 267 yards, an average of 9.2 • Ranked 22nd in the country in kickoff returns • Was second in the ACC in kickoff returns and third in punt returns • Returned four kickoffs for 95 yards, including a 35-yarder, at Virginia Tech • Also had a 16-yard punt return against the Hokies • Had four punt returns for 40 yards, including a long of 18 yards, and had one kickoff return for 18 yards against Duke • Had three punt returns for 11 yards and three kickoff returns for 70 yards, including a long of 30 yards, against Maryland • Had one kickoff return for 21 yards and two punt returns for 25 yards in the win over Boston College • Had three kickoff returns for 48 yards, including a long of 23, against Miami • Returned three punts for 31 yards, including a long of 26, in the win over Virginia • Had five kickoff returns for 103 yards, including a long of 36, against Louisville • Was spectacular in Carolina's win over Utah, running back the game's opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown • It was the first time a Tar Heel had returned the opening kickoff since Michael Waddell vs. Wisconsin in 2003 • Finished the game with three kickoff returns for 149 yards and one punt return for three yards • Had six punt returns for 63 yards, including a long of 40, in the victory over NC?State • Also had a 38-yard kickoff return against the Wolfpack • Had five punt returns for 31 yards, including a long of 17, against Wisconsin • Started as the punt return man and was impressive in his debut at Georgia Tech with four punt returns for 47 yards, including a long of 26.
Brandon Tate was born October 5, 1987 to Lesley and Barry Tate, Sr. ... Attended Cummings High School where he was a three-year starter in both football and basketball ... Had 66 receptions for 1,213 yards and 18 touchdowns in 15 games as a senior ... Also returned kicks and played defensive back ... Collected 22 catches for 496 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior ... Helped lead Cummings to the state finals in 2003 and the semifinals in 2004 ... Member of the Burlington Times-News and Greensboro News & Record All-Area teams ... Earned all-conference honors ... Played guard on the basketball team and helped lead Cummings to a state title as a junior ... His brother, Barry, plays football at Lenoir-Rhyne College ... Majored in communications at North Carolina.
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