Andrews dominated the offensive line

This is the latest in a series of features on the 2009 University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor inductees.Former Razorback great Shawn Andrews completed his Arkansas career as perhaps the most decorated offensive lineman in school history. Andrews was born on Christmas Day in 1982 to his mother Linda Andrews and was raised with his two brothers (Stacy and Derrick) in Camden, Arkansas. He attended Camden Fairview High School where he was named a Parade All-American and a USAToday.com All-American. He played in only six games during his senior season due to a back injury, but still tallied 98 pancake blocks and an average of 88 percent on his blocking assignments. In addition, he recorded 30 tackles and nine sacks on defense. Andrews was also a standout track athlete in high school where he threw the shot put and discus. Following his high school career, Andrews came to Fayetteville and became only the third freshman in UA history to start on the offensive line. He started the last nine regular-season games and the 2002 Cotton Bowl at right tackle. He was named first-team freshman All-American by the Associated Press. In 2002, Andrews became the first sophomore in school history to earn first-team All-America honors. He was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches’ Association, the Football Writer’s Association of America, CNNSI.com, ESPN.com, the College Football News and The Sporting News. He was a consensus All-SEC selection and won the Jacobs Award, recognizing the league’s best blocker. He started 12 games at right tackle and helped lead the way for the SEC’s top rushing team and the 12th-ranked rushing offense in the nation. Andrews improved each year, and was a consensus All-American as a junior. He was a finalist for the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy that same year as the Razorbacks led the SEC in rushing and ranked fifth nationally, averaging 241.9 yards per game. Andrews won the Jacobs Award again in 2003 and was a first-team All-SEC selection by the coaches and Associated Press. Andrews was a three-year letterman for Arkansas 2001-03. In 35 career games, he only gave up two sacks. During his collegiate career, he helped the Razorbacks to one SEC Western Division Championship and an appearance in the SEC title game as well as three bowl games (Cotton, Music City and Independence).Andrews was a first-round selection (16th pick overall) in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded up with the San Francisco 49ers. In the NFL, Andrews has been a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2005, 2006, 2007) and was named a First-Team All-Pro in 2006. Off the field, Andrews has been active in the community. While in college, he was a member of the Fayetteville Community Outreach program, working with mental health patients, and was featured during the NFL Draft in a public service announcement. He also donated $5,000 worth of Christmas toys to deserving children in the Philadelphia area in 2005.
UA Sports Hall of Honor members are selected by a vote of former letterwinners in conjunction with the “A” Club. The official induction is Friday, Sept. 18, at the Holiday Inn in Springdale. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from the Razorback Foundation. For more information, call the Razorback Foundation at 479-443-9000.