Dec. 14, 2012
Vanderbilt junior wide receiver Jordan Matthews was named as a Third Team All-America today by Phil Steele’s, one of the nation’s top college football publications.
Matthews, who set a Commodore team record with 1,262 receiving yards during Vanderbilt’s 8-4 regular season, becomes the program’s first All-America wide receiver since Earl Bennett was recognized in 2007 after establishing a new Southeastern Conference career receptions record.
Matthews, a native of Madison, Ala., has 87 catches this year. It ranks as the second most receptions total in program history behind only Keith Edwards’ team and SEC record of 97 receptions in 1983.
The junior’s receptions and yardage totals also have broken into the all-time SEC single-season charts. Matthews’ 87 catches is the eighth highest single-season total in SEC history. His 1,262 yards ranks as the ninth highest total in conference history.
In the last two weeks, Matthews has swept numerous postseason honors. He was named First Team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and 14 conference head coaches. He also earned All-America recognition from CBSSportsline.com.
Matthews can push his receiving totals even higher when the Commodores face North Carolina State in the 15th annual Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl on Dec. 31 in Nashville. Tickets remain for the bowl, which kicks off at 11 a.m., in LP Field.
Azubike, Garnham also earn All-SEC honors
Defensive end Caleb Azubike, snubbed by league coaches for SEC All-Freshman Team honors, was named to ESPN.com’s All-Freshman squad.
Azubike, a product of Nashville, established a new true freshman team record with four quarterback sacks among 18 tackles.
Chase Garnham, who ranked among the SEC’s top linebackers with six sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss among 77 total stops, was named to ESPN.com’s Second Team All-SEC Team. It was Garnham’s first postseason honor of the season.
Garnham was joined on the second team by senior running back Zac Stacy and junior placekicker Carey Spear. Matthews was a first team selection.
