Feb. 19, 2008
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Record-breaking Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett was honored Tuesday night by the membership of a prestigious quarterback club in his hometown.
For the first time in recent memory, the Monday Morning Quarterback Club of Birmingham added to its Southeastern Conference Back and Lineman of the Year awards on Tuesday, recognizing Bennett as the conference’s All-Purpose Player of the Year.
Bennett’s honor, officially named as a Special SEC Award by the organization, was announced by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive at the MMQCB’s annual banquet. More than 1,000 club members and their special guests, including Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson and Commodore wide receiver mentor Charlie Fisher, were in attendance.
The club, which raises millions for youth charities in the Birmingham metro area, annually recognizes the SEC’s outstanding back and outstanding lineman at the banquet. The club’s recognition – along with similar honors bestowed by the Atlanta Touchdown Club – is considered among the most prestigious postseason awards presented in the Southeast.
Besides the recognition for Bennett, the Birmingham Quarterback Club was expected to name Florida sophomore quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey as its SEC Back and Lineman of the Year, respectively.
Prior to attending Vanderbilt, Bennett was a multi-sport standout at West End High School in Birmingham. He was named the city’s 2004 Football Player of the Year, helping West End to an 8-3 record while playing several positions, including receiver, running back and cornerback. Bennett also started on the school’s basketball squad and played baseball early in his prep career.
Bennett dazzled Vanderbilt fans from the moment he donned the Black and Gold uniform. By the time he announced intentions to enter the NFL Draft last month, Bennett would become the most prolific receiver in SEC history – despite playing just three seasons for the Commodores.
As a freshman, he and senior quarterback Jay Cutler produced the greatest season ever by a first-year Commodore receiver. Bennett broke SEC and team records with 79 receptions and nine touchdowns, finishing the campaign with a remarkable 14-catch, 167-yard effort in a win at Tennessee.
As a sophomore, Bennett continued his remarkable production without Cutler’s aid, catching 82 passes for 1,146 yards. Both were new school standards for sophomore receivers.
Last year, Bennett became the first SEC receiver in its history to post three consecutive seasons of at least 75 catches. He finished the year with 75 receptions for 830 yards and five touchdowns.
Bennett showed his versatility as a punt returner in 2005-06. During his career, Bennett also completed two pass attempts, one for a touchdown, and proved dangerous as a runner on designed reverses.
Bennett became the seventh Commodore to receive an SEC postseason award from the Birmingham organization. Previous Vanderbilt winners are:
– Jay Cutler, 2005, Back of the Year
– Jamie Duncan, 1997 Lineman of the Year
– James Manley, 1995 Lineman of the Year
– Corey Harris, 1991 Back of the Year
– Eric Jones, 1987 Back of the Year
– Tom Moore, 1959 Back of the Year
– Charley Horton, 1955 Back of the Year
