July 9, 2008
HERMITAGE, Tenn. – Former record-breaking Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett was named the state’s 2007 College Football Player of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Wednesday evening.
Bennett becomes the second Vanderbilt football player to win the TSWA award in the last three years. In 2005, Tennessee sportswriters gave the nod to Commodore quarterback and SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jay Cutler.
Bennett, unable to attend the ceremonies held just east of Nashville, was delighted upon receiving word that he was receiving the award.
“That’s a tremendous honor, especially considering all the great college players in Tennessee,” Bennett said. “I greatly appreciate all the writers across Tennessee that voted. I also want to take time to thank all of my teammates and coaches at Vanderbilt for making me the best I could be. All I can say is hopefully next year, the writers will be presenting this award to another Commodore.”
Bennett, from Birmingham, Ala., is preparing for his first National Football League preseason camp. After getting selected by Chicago in the third round of the NFL Draft in April, Bennett recently signed his contract with the Bears.
“Everything is going great,” Bennett said. “I’m doing everything I can to get prepared for the season, and help the Bears win football games. I’m excited about my rookie season.”
Bennett became the most prolific receiver in Southeastern Conference history during his three-year varsity career. Becoming the only player in league history to reach at least 75 receptions in three seasons, Bennett finished his career with 236 catches, 28 more than the No. 2 SEC all-time receiver.
Bennett finished the 2007 season with 75 catches, good for 830 yarards and five touchdowns. He amassed 2,852 receiving yards and 20 touchdown catches in his career.
He became a three-time All-SEC recipient, a Rivals.com All-American in 2006, and Freshman All-American in 2005 during his Vanderbilt career.
Bennett and former SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jay Cutler formed a remarkable duo in Bennett’s first varsity season, combining for 79 completions, 876 yards and nine touchdowns. The tandem was remarkable late in the 2005 season, with Bennett garnering 49 receptions and nine touchdowns in the final four games. His final connection with Cutler in 2005 – a 5-yard quick slant – proved the winning points in Vanderbilt’s victory over Tennessee in Knoxville.
The 2005 season also included a five-touchdown reception performance against Kentucky, tying an SEC mark that stood for two decades, a 16-catch, 204-yard effort at South Carolina, and the 14-catch, 187-yard outburst at Tennessee.
Bennett, a product of West End High School in Birmingham, holds an abundance of Vanderbilt team receiving marks, including career receptions (236), most yards in a single game (223, vs. Richmond), most catches by freshman (79) and sophomore (82), most yards by a freshman (878) and most touchdown catches by a freshman (9).
Bennett also produced at least 10 receptions in nine games, surpassed 100 receiving yards on nine occasions, and topped 200 receiving yards in three games.
Bennett also became the highest Commodore receiver selected in the NFL Draft since receiver/tight end Chuck Scott was taken in the second round 23 years ago.
Bennett was also a model citizen during his time at Vanderbilt. His hometown recognized Bennett twice during his career: the City of Birmingham awarding him a top citizen honor and keys to the city in 2007, and the Birmingham Touchdown Club recognizing him as its 2007 SEC Athlete of the Year.
