Dec. 11, 2008
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Vanderbilt linebacker Chris Marve was one of four unanimous members to the SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman Team, announced Thursday by the league office.
Marve, a product of White Station High School in Memphis, Tenn., is one of four Commodores named to the All-Freshman squad. Others are Brandon Barden, a tight end from Lincolnton, Ga.; T.J. Greenstone, a defensive tackle from Lawrenceville, Ga.; and Kyle Fischer, an offensive guard/tackle from Columbia, S.C.
Marve is the Commodores’ first unanimous pick to the All-Freshman team since Kwane Doster earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in 2002.
Only four teams – Georgia and Arkansas – placed more players on the freshmen squad than Vanderbilt. The only unanimous selections besides Marve were Georgia receiver A.J. Green and center Ben Jones, and Auburn punter Clinton Durst.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said the four Commodore newcomers were deserving of the all-conference honors. All four are redshirt freshmen players at Vanderbilt.
“I’m pleased to hear it, pleased for these four young men,” Johnson said. “Chris (Marve) just had a fantastic year for us. He’s blends a physical presence with excellent knowledge of his responsiblities. He made a ton of big plays for our team this year.
“I’m also glad for Brandon, T.J. and Kyle. Brandon is a very productive receiver who is just learning the position. T.J. and Kyle came on and gave the team a big lift as contributors on the line. It’s a lot to ask of young guys to go in and play effectively at their positions and both of those guys did that.”
Marve was the nation’s third leading freshman tackler with 95 total stops, including a team-high 51 unassisted tackles. A 12-game starter, Marve also topped the SEC with four forced fumbles, and contributed three quarterback sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Marve had numerous outstanding games, including performances at Ole Miss and against Duke. He had career-high 16 total tackles, a sack and forced fumble against the Blue Devils and 11 tackles in Vanderbilt’s win at Ole Miss. Marve also provided a game-saving play against the Rebels, ripping the football from an Ole Miss ballcarrier at the Vanderbilt 2-yard line with time running out.
Barden did not start for the Commodores until game three, but quickly established himself as a top receiving target. He finished the year with 27 catches, the most of any freshman tight end in the nation. He also had big catches all season, including the go-ahead score in a victory over Auburn and a touchdown in the Commodores’ win at Kentucky.
Greenstone started only two games at defensive tackle, but played a valuable role in all 12 games. He finished the year with 29 total tackles, including five tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery.
Fischer started the season on the sidelines, but quickly became a key performer on the offensive line. After earning his first career start in the sixth game, Fischer never left the lineup, seeing action at right guard and right tackle.
