Stamper Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

Stamper Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

6/21/2006

Vanderbilt Offensive Tackle Brian Stamper Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

Dallas, Texas — Vanderbilt senior co-captain Brian Stamper has a chance to make history for the Commodores this year after being named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list.

The Outland Trophy is given every year to the nation’s best interior lineman. No Commodore lineman has ever won the award. Minnesota center Greg Eslinger won the award last year.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson was pleased to hear about Stamper’s inclusion on the list, which was announced earlier this week.

“Brian is a very deserving candidate for the Outland Trophy,” Johnson said. “Brian has played a key role on our offensive line since his freshman season, and has developed into one of the SEC’s top linemen. He’s also an outstanding leader by example, and was elected captain by his teammates. I’m very pleased that Brian is being recognized in this preseason list.”

In 2005, Stamper did not allow a sack protecting the most prolific quarterback in Vanderbilt history, Jay Cutler. He was named second team All-SEC by the league coaches following the season, one of five Vanderbilt players recognized.

Stamper, who recently was named to Athlon Sports’ 2006 preseason All-SEC second team, has started 31 consecutive games at right tackle since stepping into the lineup in 2003 and eventually started nine games as a true freshman. That year, he received All-SEC Freshman honors from the coaches.

Another offensive tackle, Justin Geisinger in 2004, was the last Commodore named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list. Geisinger is currently in his second year as an offensive lineman with the Buffalo Bills.

A native of Windermere, Fla., Stamper is one of six SEC lineman to be nominated this year. Eight of the last 12 recipients of the award have been offensive tackles, a statistic that should bode well for Stamper.