Thomas Bemenderfer Class: Senior Hometown: Mishawaka, IN High School: Penn Height / Weight: 6-5 / 300 Position: Center

CAREER: Local product returned to South Bend in 2006 after starting his career at Northwestern University ... very intelligent offensive lineman who will add depth to the center and guard positions in 2008 ... sat out 2006 season but appeared in all 12 games in 2007 either on special teams or as a reserve interior offensive lineman.

2007 (JUNIOR): One of four walk-ons who received a scholarship just prior to the start of the season ... participated in all 12 games for the Irish as a reserve offensive lineman or on special teams ... logged 12:36 of playing time as a reserve center and guard ... made 41 special teams appearances.

2006 (SOPHOMORE): Transferred to Notre Dame and sat out season.

2005 (FRESHMAN): Did not see action in first season at Northwestern.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Ranked 14th-best player in Indiana and 74th nationally among defensive tackles by SuperPrep ... earned all-state honors as a junior at defensive tackle, and all-state honors as a senior at offensive tackle at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind. ... helped lead the Kingsmen to back-to-back regional championships, as well as a state final appearance in 2003 ... Penn captured Northern Indiana Conference and Class 5A Sectional titles all four years he played ... chosen to play in Indiana's North-South All-Star game, but was unable to participate due to an injury ... 2004 Gridiron Digest consensus all-state selection ... tabbed Penn's Kingsmen of the Year recipient, an award that is chosen by the student body and is given to the most respected and dedicated student ... valedictorian of senior class (out of 618 graduating students) ... Wendy's Heisman Award finalist ... Burger King Outstanding Student-Athlete ... Indianapolis Colts Academic All-Star ... named to Indiana's "Tremendous 26" ... also lettered in wrestling and played rugby ... a state finalist in the heavyweight division his sophomore and junior years ... captain of football, wrestling and rugby teams ... chosen to play on USA U-19 rugby team ... member of National Honor Society and school's Honor Roll ... coached by Cory Yeoman ... born on Dec. 5, 1985 ... son of Todd and Judy Bemenderfer ... Dean's List student who is enrolled in pre-professional studies in College of Science.