Nov. 16, 2017
Vanderbilt running back Khari Blasingame was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team Thursday.
The recognition puts Blasingame, a redshirt junior from Huntsville, Ala., in position to become Vanderbilt’s first national Academic All-America since linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer was selected in 2002. Sports information directors across the nation will vote on the national ballot this month.
This marks the second consecutive year a Vanderbilt football standout has earned Academic All-District recognition. Last year, senior offensive lineman Will Holden, a current member of the Arizona Cardinals, was elected.
Three other current Commodores – placekicker Tommy Openshaw, quarterback Kyle Shurmur and wide receiver Caleb Scott – also received votes for Academic All-District consideration.
Blasingame, a product of Buckhorn High School near Huntsville, has played much of the last two years in the shadow of Vanderbilt all-time leading rusher Ralph Webb. After playing linebacker in 2015, Blasingame has appeared in 22 games at running back during the 2016-17 seasons.
Blasingame has posted 596 rushing yards during his Commodore career, including 147 yards this season. In 2016, he was an standout near the end zone, registering 10 rushing touchdowns.
A three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, Blasingame is working toward an undergraduate degree in medicine, health & society.
Blasingame is the 13th Commodore student-athlete to earn district academic honors in the last 15 years. The full list of Vanderbilt football players to earn Academic All-District honors since 2000 follows:
2017 Khari Blasingame (RB)
2016 Will Holden (OL)
2013 Taylor Hudson (punter), Fitz Lassing (FB)
2010 John Stokes (LB), John Cole (WR)
2009 Stokes and Patrick Benoist (LB)
2008 Stokes and Benoist
2007 Benoist and Hamilton Holliday (OL)
2006 Ben Koger (safety)
2004 Justin Geisinger (OL)
2003 Kenan Arkan (OL)
2002 Hunter Hillenmeyer (LB)*
* later voted to First Team Academic All-America team
