Dec. 9, 2007
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt seniors Marcus Buggs and Hamilton Holliday, and sophomore Broderick Stewart walked away with top postseason awards at the Commodore football banquet held Sunday on campus.
Holliday, a two-year offensive line starter from Marietta, Ga., received the Dedication Award from Head Coach Bobby Johnson. The award is the only Vanderbilt postseason honor selected by the coaching staff.
Top awards voted on by Commodore players went to Buggs, a two-year starter at outside linebacker from Madison, Tenn., and Stewart, a defensive end from Newnan, Ga. Buggs was presented the postseason Captain’s Award by the team’s three permanent captains – offensive tackle Chris Williams, defensive tackle Theo Horrocks and linebacker Jonathan Goff. Stewart earned the Hustle Award following a vote of his teammates.
Johnson praised Holliday for the efforts on and off the football field. A starter at center in 24 consecutive games, Holliday was earned Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after Vanderbilt’s win earlier this year over Miami (Ohio). Off the field, Holliday is a three-time All-SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, a Draddy Trophy semifinalist and a two-time District IV Academic All-American.
Buggs became one of the team’s top defensive leaders as a senior. He also put together his finest campaign in 2007, leading the team in tackles for loss and finishing among the Commodore leaders in virtually every defensive statistical category. Stewart became a playmaker because of his effort and hustle, topping the squad in quarterback sacks as a third-down specialist.
During the banquet, Johnson saluted the 17-member senior class headed by Buggs, Goff, Holloway, Horrocks, Williams and fellow starters tight end Brad Allen, offensive guard Josh Eames, defensive end Curtis Gatewood, defensive tackle Gabe Hall, tailback Cassen Jackson-Garrison, offensive guard Merritt Kirchoffer and offensive tackle Brian Stamper. Senior reserves include wide receiver Bryant Anderson, defensive tackle Brandon Holmes, quarterback Richard Kovalcheck, linebacker Dominic Morais and defensive tackle David Whittington.
Johnson also paid tribute to the team’s leadership council comprised of Brad Allen, Buggs, Goff, Hall, Horrocks, Stamper, Williams, junior safety Reshard Langford and junior receiver George Smith.
Following is a complete list of Vanderbilt football award winners announced at the banquet:
– Dedication Award: Hamilton Holliday, senior offensive center
– Captain’s Award*: Marcus Buggs, redshirt senior linebacker
– Commodore Hustle Award*: Broderick Stewart, redshirt sophomore defensive end
– Offensive Back Award*: Jared Hawkins, redshirt sophomore tailback, and Mackenzi Adams, redshirt sophomore quarterback
– Receiver Award*: Earl Bennett, junior wide receiver
– Offensive Lineman Award*: Chris Williams, redshirt senior offensive tackle
– Defensive Lineman Award*: Theo Horrocks, senior defensive tackle
– Linebacker Award*: Jonathan Goff, redshirt senior linebacker
– Defensive Secondary Award*: D.J. Moore, sophomore defensive back
– Specialist of the Year Award*: Brett Upson, sophomore punter
– Strength & Conditioning Award: Gabe Hall, senior defensive tackle
– Offensive Scout MVP: Udom Umoh, freshman wide receiver
– Defensive Scout MVP: T.J. Greenstone, freshman defensive tackle
