Dec. 14, 2015
The accolades keep coming for Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham, who was named to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference today.
Cunningham, a sophomore from Pinson Valley High School near Birmingham, was named as a first team All-SEC recipient by the AP panel of sportswriters, radio hosts and sports anchors across the Southeast. Last week, Cunningham was named first team All-SEC by the league’s 14 head coaches.
Cunningham was the only Commodore student-athlete included on the AP and coaches’ All-SEC teams. Several others, including senior center Spencer Pulley and sophomore running back Ralph Webb, earned all-conference consideration.
Cunningham becomes the first Vanderbilt linebacker named first team All-SEC by the Associated Press since Moses Osemwegie was recognized in 2005. He is also the first Commodore to earn AP first team all-conference recognition since offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and wide receiver Jordan Matthews were honored two years ago.
Cunningham ranked among the league leaders in numerous statistical categories, including tackles for loss, solo tackles, total tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries even though he didn’t become a starter until the third game.
Cunningham’s 16.5 tackles for loss, the third highest total among SEC defenders, was the most by a Commodore player since fellow first team All-SEC recipent Jamie Winborn registered 23 tackles for loss in 1999.
Cunningham’s 69 solo tackles was the most by a Commodore since Osemwegie registered 78 solo stops in 2003. His 103 total tackles were the most by a Vanderbilt defender since all-conference linebacker Chris Marve amassed 121 tackles in 2009.
Cunningham posted at least 10 tackles in seven of the last nine games, topped by a 12-solo tackle, 15-total tackle performance at Middle Tennessee. He also ended the 2015 season with four straight double-digit tackle games, the first Commodore to do so since Osemwegie in 2005.
Cunningham also shared the SEC lead with three fumble recoveries and ranked third in the conference with four forced fumbles, the second highest total of forced fumbles by a Vanderbilt player in the last two decades.
