Texas Tech offensive guard Brandon Carter has accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game. The senior from Longview Spring Hill will play for the West.

The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

Ten other Big 12 Conference players are on the West roster: center J.D. Walton and linebacker Joe Pawelek from Baylor; guard Reggie Stephens from Iowa State; cornerback Perrish Cox, quarterback Zac Robinson and running back Keith Toston from Oklahoma State; wide receiver Danario Alexander from Missouri; safety Larry Asante from Nebraska; and defensive end Auston English and cornerback Brian Jackson from Oklahoma.

Eleven honored for grades

Nine Texas Tech players were named to the first team and two to the second team on the academic all-Big 12 team released Tuesday.

First-team honorees were those with a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher. From Tech, those were linebacker Bront Bird (business major), cornerback Taylor Charbonnet (general business), safety Cody Davis (business), defensive tackle David Neill (human development and family studies), guard Mickey Okafor (pre-dental), tackle Chris Olson (general business), quarterback Taylor Potts (pre-physical therapy), flanker Alex Torres (general business) and inside receiver Austin Zouzalik (general business).

Second-team honorees were those with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.19. From Tech, those were kicker-punter Donnie Carona (general business) and defensive end Brandon Sharpe (human development and family studies).

The league had 170 players meet the requirements. Big 12 South Division champion Texas led with 24 — 16 on the first team and nine on the second team.

To qualify, players must have participated in 60 percent of their team’s games. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year.

One moment in sun

In the final minute of Tech’s 41-13 victory Saturday against Oklahoma, senior safety Trent Nickerson got in for one play on defense.

Nickerson then returned to the sideline, receiving hearty congratulations from his teammates.

Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said it was the first career play for Trent Nickerson, the brother of cornerback Brent Nickerson, who was a regular starter last year.

McNeill said earlier this year that Trent Nickerson is one of the players the team suits up because of his contribution on the sideline.

“Senior, great leader,’’ McNeill said Tuesday. “Great enthusiast on the sideline. He’s a guy who knew his role on the football team, accepted his role and took it to another level. He always has great support for whoever’s playing on offense, defense or special teams. He’s been a scout-team guy for us and gave us great looks.’’

In a similar move, senior linebacker Chris Wallace — called “Braveheart’’ by coaches and teammates — got in for a special-teams play.