Dec. 19, 2014
Three Commodore standouts – linebacker Nigel Bowden, tight end Steven Scheu and kick returner Darrius Sims – were named to prestigious postseason teams by Phil Steele, a leading college football magazine and online publisher.
The publication named Bowden, from Macon, Ga., to its Freshman All-America team. Scheu, from Evansville, Ind., and Sims, from Memphis, were named to Phil Steele’s third team All-Southeastern Conference team.
Bowden, who earned SEC All-Freshman honors last week from the 14 league coaches, paced all freshmen in the conference with 78 total tackles while making 11 starts at inside linebacker. He also became the first freshman to lead the Commodores in tackles since another linebacker Jamie Winborn did so in 1998. Winborn also earned Freshman All-America honors that season.
Bowden was remarkably consistent, posting at least five tackles in his first eight career games, topped by a 11-tackle effort at Missouri and a 10-tackle performance vs. Charleston Southern. He also posted at least six tackles against SEC opponents Ole Miss, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia and Florida.
Scheu’s 39 receptions receptions total also topped all Southeastern Conference tight ends. He also ranked second among SEC tight ends with 525 receiving yards, the highest single-season total by a Commodore tight end since 1983. Scheu also matched the team high with four touchdown catches.
Two weeks ago, Scheu was named second team All-SEC from the Associated Press, becoming the first Vanderbilt tight end honored since Brandon Barden was selected in 2010.
Sims’ campaign as a return specialist featured one of the greatest single-game performances in team history when he became the first SEC player ever to return two kicks for touchdowns against South Carolina. Only 15 other returners in SEC history have matched Sims’ achievement.
Sims concluded the year with a 24.5-yard return average, the highest by a Commodore since Warren Norman’s 25.4-yard average in 2010.
