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Commodores’ Sorensen, Stamper and White Picked to Coaches’ All-SEC Freshman Squad 12/11/2003
Commodores’ Sorensen, Stamper and White Picked to Coaches’ All-SEC Freshman Squad
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three true freshmen on the Commodore football squad – center Tom Sorensen, offensive tackle Brian Stamper and wide receiver Marlon White – were named to the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman Team, the SEC announced today. Sorensen (6-3, 290, Salt Lake City, Utah) and Stamper (6-4, 285, Windemere, Fla.) were mainstays for much of the season on the Vanderbilt offensive front while White (6-4, 190, Macon, Ga.) fashioned one of the team’s finest freshman receiving seasons. The only team to place more representatives on the squad than Vanderbilt was Eastern Division co-champion Florida with five. Georgia and Tennessee, also Eastern Division co-champions, also matched the Commodore total. It is the second straight year for SEC coaches to recognize three Commodore freshmen offensive players. In 2002, quarterback Jay Cutler, tailback/return specialist Kwane Doster and guard Mac Pyle were named to the squad. “I’m pleased for all three players. Tom and Brian performed well under difficult circumstances when provided an opportunity early in the season. Marlon worked real hard to become a key contributor. These young men can be excellent players in this conference and will be important to our future success,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. Both Sorensen and Stamper saw plenty of action due to early-season injuries to offensive line starters. Stamper earned nine starts at right tackle while Sorensen started the final eight games. White did not start for the Commodores, but played significant minutes in every game. Sorensen replaced injured center Steven Brent in the Commodores’ fourth game and improved steadily during the season. He played his finest game in Vanderbilt’s late-season victory over Kentucky. Stamper was added to the starting unit in Vanderbilt’s third game after junior Kenan Arkan suffered a season-ending ankle injury versus Auburn. Stamper permitted just two quarterback sacks in nine starts while facing some of the nation’s finest defensive ends, including David Pollack of Georgia and Bo Schobel of TCU. White was the Commodores’ third leading receiver with 21 catches. He also set a new team freshman record with three touchdown receptions. His 43-yard touchdown catch sealed the Commodores’ victory over Kentucky. |
