Oct. 6, 2011
Franklin’s Wednesday Press Conference
Former Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year Warren Norman could miss the entire season, according to Vanderbilt Head Coach James Franklin.
Norman, the team’s active career leader with 1,242 rushing yards and a former All-SEC kick returner, has practiced throughout the season but has not played during the Commodores’ 3-1 start. He is recovering from a leg injury.
Junior Zac Stacy and true freshman Jerron Seymour have shared the team’s tailback chores in Norman’s absence.
Franklin hinted after practice Wednesday that the junior from Stone Mountain, Ga., could redshirt.
“Right now, Warren is our emergency running back,” Franklin said. “We are not going to play him unless we need to. There is a possibility of redshirting him.”
Norman’s 1,242 rushing yards ranks 25th on the Vanderbilt all-time charts. He is also on pace to become the team’s career leader in virtually every kickoff return stat, ranking first in career average (25.9 yards), returns for touchdowns (3) and sixth in career kickoff return yardage (1,608 yards).
As a true freshman in 2009, Norman put together one of the most productive seasons in Vanderbilt history en route to earning SEC Freshman of the Year recognition. He set a school record with 1,941 all-purpose yards, including 783 rushing yards, 1,050 return yards and 108 receiving yards.
