9  T.J. Atwater
	Class: Senior Hometown: Wichita, Kan. High School: Wichita Heights Height / Weight: 5-9 / 190 Position: Free Safety

UW This Season: T.J. Atwater switched positions during 2009 springs drills, moving to free safety from cornerback. He is the projected backup at free safety to 2008 starter Chris Prosinski entering the `09 season. An intelligent, veteran player, he will provide added experience to an experienced and talented Cowboy secondary.

2008: Atwater played in five games in 2008 as a backup to true freshman Tashaun Gipson. He enjoyed an outstanding spring in `08, and earned the starting spot at field cornerback entering his junior year. Atwater worked hard in the 2008 winter conditioning program to improve his conditioning and quickness, and it paid off.

2007: He was a backup at boundary cornerback to senior Michael Medina in 2007. Atwater appeared in all 12 games in `07 and was credited with five assisted tackles.

2006: Atwater appeared in seven games his redshirt freshman season, primarily on special teams. He was credited with three total tackles, including one solo and two assists. The Wichita, Kan., native backed up Michael Medina at boundary cornerback.

2005: Redshirted.

High School: T.J. Atwater was a 2004 First Team All-State 6A selection as a defensive back and return specialist by the Wichita Eagle-Beacon , Topeka Capital-Journal and Kansas Coaches Association. He was also a First Team All-Wichita selection and was named First Team All-District at Wichita Heights High School in Wichita, Kan. He was a two-year team captain of his Heights football team. Atwater was credited with 34 solo tackles and 34 assists for 68 total tackles his senior season. He broke up nine passes, intercepted two passes and recorded two tackles for losses. As a kickoff and punt returner, he returned 27 kicks as a senior for a combined 584 return yards. During his high school career, he returned 11 kickoff and punt returns for touchdowns. As his team's quarterback, he completed 26 of 48 passes for 498 yards and six touchdowns, while throwing only five interceptions in 2004. He rushed 76 times for 334 yards and six TDs. Atwater also had three pass receptions for 35 yards. He led Wichita Heights to a 10-1 overall record in '04, before losing to the eventual State Champion Hutchinson in the quarterfinals of the 6A state playoffs -- the largest classification in the state of Kansas. He has been timed between 4.4 and 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. A three-sport standout -- Atwater was the starting point guard on Wichita Heights' basketball team, and he was a long jumper and triple jumper on the track and field team. Atwater was class president at Wichita Heights, and a peer group leader.

Personal: Born Oct. 26, 1986, he is the son of Montella Wimbley and Terry Atwater. He was coached in high school by Rick Wheeler. Atwater was also recruited by Kansas, Kansas State, Northern Illinois and Tulsa. Atwater is studying communications.