Antoine Cason

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Antoine Brandon Cason (born July 9, 1986 in Long Beach, California), is a cornerback for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the Arizona Wildcats. Hailed as one of the best defensive backs in the Pac-10, Cason was selected 27th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2008 NFL Draft.

[edit] Early Life and High School Football

Antoine was born on July 10 1986 in Long Beach, California to Deborah and Wendell Cason. He got his start playing for the Carson-Gardena Colts in a local football league where he stood out as one of the teams top players. He attended Los Alamitos High School in Los Alamitos, CA from 2000-2004, where he played running back for the school's football team and ran track. During his high school years, Antoine earned the following honors for his performance on the football field:

First Team All League (junior year)

Second Team All-CIF Southern Section (senior year)

First Team Division I CIF (senior year)

Sunset League Defensive Back of the Year (senior year)

[edit] College career

Currently, Antoine is a senior at the University of Arizona and majors in Political Science. He has been a starting player for the University's football team since his freshmen year in 2004, and is recognized as one of the best cornerbacks in the Arizona Wildcats' history. After his first collegiate game, Antoine was named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the week. During his freshmen year, he was also honored as the Pac-10 freshman of the year. In 2005, he earned Second Team All Pac-10 honors. Following the Wildcats' upset win against number 25-ranked Washington State University on November 4, 2006, he earned his second Pac-10 Defensive Player of the week award. The following week, he was recognized again as Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week after breaking a 17-17 tie between the Wildcats and the number 8-ranked Cal Bears by scoring a touchdown on a 39-yard interception return. In 2006, Antoine was a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. After the 2006 season, Antoine was eligible for the 2007 NFL Draft. He decided to postpone his pro career to complete his degree and continue his commitment to turning Arizona Football around.

In spring of 2007, Antoine earned All American honors in Track and Field for his contribution to the Men's 4x100 relay team. The University of Arizona 4x100 relay team finished in the top eight at the NCAA Championships. A top-eight finish at the event earned Antoine and his team mates All-American status.

Cason continued his stellar play into his 2007 senior season. His performance on November 15, 2007 in a 34-24 win against the then number two ranked Oregon Ducks included both an interception return and punt return for touchdowns. He finished the season with 5 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns. He also returned 2 punts for touchdowns. On December 6, 2007 he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award for best defensive back in the country and was a consensus First-team All-America choice.

[edit] Personal

His father Wendell played football for the Oregon Ducks and the Atlanta Falcons (1984-87). His brother Dione competed in track at Washington State University.

He is also a cousin of Ken-Yon Rambo of the Calgary Stampeders and Aveion Cason of the Detroit Lions.

[edit] External links

• http://www.arizonaathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=8102&SPID=516&DB_OEM_ID=1600&ATCLID=66433&amp
• http://www.cbs.sportsline.com/collegefootball/players/playerpage/504438
• http://scoreboards.aol.com/football/ncaaf/player/19375/player.aspx