Dec. 8, 2015
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vanderbilt linebacker Zach Cunningham has been named All-Southeastern Conference by the league’s 14 head coaches.
Cunningham, a sophomore from Pinson Valley High School near Birmingham, Ala., was named to the First Team All-SEC by the coaches.
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 All-America linebacker Jamie Winborn registered 23 tackles for loss in 1999.
Cunningham’s three fumble recoveries shared the conference lead, and his four forced fumbles, bettered by just one Vanderbilt player in the last 20 years, ranked third in the league.
Cunningham’s 69 solo tackles was the most by a Commodore since All-SEC linebacker Moses Osemwegie registered 78 solo stops in 2003. His 103 total tackles were the most by a Vanderbilt defender since all-league 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 ended the 2015 season with four straight double-digit tackle games, the first Commodore to do so since Osemwegie in 2005.
Cunningham is the first Commodores named to the Coaches’ First Team All-SEC squad since safety Kenny Ladler and wide receiver Jordan Matthews were listed in 2013. Other Commodores named as First Team All-SEC performers by the coaches in the last decade are Matthews, 2012; cornerback D.J. Moore, 2008; wide receiver Earl Bennett, 2005, 2007; offensive tackle Chris Williams, 2007; quarterback Jay Cutler, 2005; and linebacker Moses Osemwegie, 2005.
The conference office will announce individual honors on Wednesday and the Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC team on Thursday.
The entire 2015 Coaches’ All-SEC Team follows:
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB – Dak Prescott, Mississippi State
RB – Derrick Henry, Alabama; Leonard Fournette, LSU
WR – Laquon Treadwell, Ole Miss; Fred Ross, Mississippi State; Pharoh Cooper, South Carolina
TE – Hunter Henry, Arkansas
OL – Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas; Vadal Alexander, LSU; Cam Robinson, Alabama; John Theus, Georgia
Center – Ryan Kelly, Alabama
All-Purpose – P. Cooper, South Carolina
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL – Myles Garrett, Texas A&M; Jonathan Allen, Alabama; Jonathan Bullard, Florida; A’Shawn Robinson, Alabama
LB – Kentrell Brothers, Missouri; Reggie Ragland, Alabama; Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
DB – Vernon Hargreaves III, Florida; Eddie Jackson, Alabama; Jalen Tabor, Florida; Trae Elston, Ole Miss
FIRST TEAM SPECIALISTS
Kicker – Daniel Carlson, Auburn
Punter – Drew Kaser, Texas A&M
Return Specialist – Evan Berry, Tennessee
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB – Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
RB – Alex Collins, Arkansas; Jalen Hurd, Tennessee
WR – Calvin Ridley, Alabama; Christian Kirk, Texas A&M; De’Runnya Wilson, Mississippi State
TE – Evan Engram, Ole Miss
OL – Dominick Jackson, Alabama; Shon Coleman, Auburn; Dan Skipper, Arkansas; Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M
Center – Ethan Pocic, LSU
All-Purpose – Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL – Robert Nkemdiche, Ole Miss; Marquis Haynes, Ole Miss; Charles Harris, Missouri; Derek Barnett, Tennessee
LB – Leonard Floyd, Georgia; Antonio Morrison, Florida; Skai Moore, South Carolina
DB – Mike Hilton, Ole Miss; Dominick Sanders, Georgia; Tre’Davious White, LSU; Jamal Adams, LSU
SECOND TEAM SPECIALISTS
Kicker – Taylor Bertolet, Texas A&M; Adam Griffith, Alabama
Punter – Johnny Townsend, Florida
Return Specialist – Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
