Career TransactionsBrandon Tate was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round (83rd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft ... Signed by the Patriots (7/23/09) ... Placed on Injured reserve (11/14/09).
Career HighlightsGP/GS (Playoffs):18/11 (1/1)
- Registered the second-longest kick return in team history with a 103-yard second-half kickoff retun against the Dolphins (10/4).
- In 2010, returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, a 103 yard run and a 97 yard run.
2010 Season(16/10,1/1)
- Caught a four-yard TD pass from Tom Brady in the second quarter against the Jets, finishing with one reception, one carry for six yards, and two kickoff returns for a total of 42 yards (12/6).
- Started at wide receiver against the Lions, recording one 17-yard run and four kickoff returns for 69 yards (17.3 avg.) (11/25).
- Saw time in a reserve role against the Colts and returned three kickoffs for 69 yards (11/21).
- Had two receptions for 50 yards, including a 45- yard career-long catch from Tom Brady, which set up a touchdown that gave the Patriots a 23-3 lead heading into the final quarter against the Steelers. Also returned three punts for 67 yards (22.3 avg.) in a start against Pittsburgh (11/14).
- Started at wide receiver, catching one 12-yard pass and returning one kickoff 28 yards against the Browns (11/7).
- Set a career-high with a 65-yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady, the longest Patriots play from scrimmage in 2010 and his first NFL receiving touchdown. Also had a 32- yard reception in the second quarter, finishing with three catches for 103 yards against the Vikings, marking his first career 100-yard receiving game (10/31).
- Caught one pass for three yards and returned two kickoffs for 45 yards in a start against the Chargers (10/24).
- Had one carry for 22 yards on an end around against the Ravens (10/17), the longest run by a Patriots wide receiver since 2007, when Wes Welker had a 27-yard run at Cincinnati (10/1/07). Also had one kick return for 19 yards.
- Returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown for the second time in 2010, scoring on a 103-yard return against the Dolphins (10/4). His return was second in team history only to 108-yard return by Ellis Hobbs at NY Jets on Sept. 7, 2007. Tate is the first Patriots player to return two kicks for a touchdown in a season since Kevin Faulk had two returned for a touchdown in 2002. He also caught four balls for 39 yards (9.8 avg.) in a start against Miami.
- Made his first start of the season at wide receiver, recording two catches for 43 yards, one five-yard rush, and six kick returns for 141 yards (23.5 avg.) against Buffalo (9/26).
- Returned five kickoffs for 123 yards (24.6 avg.) and caught one pass for 17 yards against the Jets (9/19).
- Returned the second half kickoff 97 yards for his first NFL touchdown in the season opener against the Bengals (9/12). The return was the ninth longest kickoff return for a touchdown in Patriots history.
- Played on kickoff returns, punt returns, and as a third wide receiver in the season opener, including four kickoff returns for 184 yards and four receptions for 36 yards (9/12).
2009 Season(2/1, 0/0)
- Began his rookie campaign on the reserve/non-football list before being activated on Oct. 25.
- Played in two games with one start and finished with four kickoff returns for 106 yards and one rushing attempt for 11 yards.
- Saw action at wide receiver and as a kickoff returner in the two games.
- Played in his first NFL game at Tampa Bay (10/25) in the Patriots 35-7 win in London's Wembley Stadium. Returned two kicks for 44 yards and had one rushing attempt for 11 yards.
- Made his first NFL start vs. Miami (11/8) when the Patriots opened in a four-wide receiver set. Returned two kickoffs for 62 yards, including a 34-yard return in the second quarter.
- Placed on injured reserve on Nov. 14.
College
- Holds the NCAA career record in combined kick and punt return yards with 3,523 yards.
- Also holds the ACC career records for career kickoff returns (109) and kickoff return yardage (2,688).
- Tate is one of only nine players in NCAA history to return a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown in the same game, (vs. Duke, 2006).
- Holds the UNC single-season and career records for most kick returns for touchdowns.
- Suffered a knee injury against Notre Dame as a senior in 2008 and missed the final seven games of the season.
Personal
- 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.
- 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.
Extra Points
- Tate is the NCAA career leader in combined kick returns yards with 3,523 yards. He also is the ACC's all time leader in kickoff returns (109) and kickoff return yardage (2,688).
