Aug. 23, 2017
Ralph Webb and Oren Burks have been named preseason All-Southeastern Conference recipients by the league’s head coaches.
For the second time this summer, Webb and Burks earned preseason recognition. Both were selected by media members attending SEC Media Days in July.
SEC head coaches voted Webb, a rising senior running back from Gainesville, Fla., and Burks, a rising senior linebacker from Fairfax Station, Va., as third-team all-conference recipients.
“I’m pleased Ralph and Oren have been recognized on the coaches’ preseason team. They are very deserving recipients,” head coach Derek Mason said. “In addition to Ralph and Oren, we have several other players who are deserving of consideration.”
Cornerback Tre Herndon, defensive lineman Nifae Lealao, placekicker Tommy Openshaw, wide receiver Trent Sherfield, quarterback Kyle Shurmur and safety Ryan White were among Commodore standouts not included in the coaches’ team.
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Webb has stamped himself as the most productive running back in Vanderbilt history after three superb seasons. He is also on pace to rank among the league’s all-time leading rushers.
A preseason candidate for the Doak Walker and Maxwell awards, Webb enters his final season with 3,342 rushing yards. Webb ranks No. 20 on the SEC career rushing charts and could climb into the league’s top five with a season comparable to last year when he set a new team single-season record with 1,283 rushing yards.
Webb has been remarkably consistent as a Commodore, having eclipsed the team’s freshman, sophomore and junior rushing records.
Burks is one of the most versatile defenders in the SEC. This year, he is expected to move to inside linebacker and replace current Houston Texan Zach Cunningham, a consensus All-America selection in 2016.
A Butkus Award candidate, Burks finished with 40 unassisted tackles, 59 total stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks and an interception last year. Burks’ career statistics of 155 total tackles and four interceptions are active team highs.
Vanderbilt opens the season at Middle Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 2 before returning to campus for the home opener Sept. 9 against Alabama A&M. Besides Alabama A&M, the Commodores host Kansas State on Sept. 16, Alabama on Sept. 23, Georgia on Oct. 7, Western Kentucky on Nov. 4, Kentucky on Nov. 11 and Missouri on Nov. 18.
