Football Trio Named to Coaches’ All-SEC Team

Football Trio Named to Coaches’ All-SEC Team

7/20/2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three Commodores — sophomore wide receiver Earl Bennett, senior offensive tackle Brian Stamper and junior linebacker Jonathan Goff — were named to the Southeastern Conference football coaches’ Preseason All-SEC Team Thursday.

Bennett, a native of Birmingham, Ala., was named first team All-SEC by the coaches. Stamper, from Windermere, Fla., was selected second team all-league while Goff, of Lynn, Mass., was listed as a third team all-conference pick.

The Commodores open preseason camp August 4, pointing toward the 2006 season opener against Big Ten power Michigan. The opener, scheduled in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday, Sept. 2, is slated for ESPN national television. Kickoff is 11:00 a.m., CT.

Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said the three Commodores were very deserving all-conference recipients on a squad that has several other would-be prospects.

“I’m extremely pleased for Earl, Brian and Jonathan. To be included among the best at your position in this conference, especially by a vote of the coaches, is quite an honor,” Johnson said. “Each one of those guys have distinguished himself on and off the field.

“At the same time, I believe there’s a number of other players on our squad that deserve consideration and should get their recognition with an outstanding season this fall,” Johnson said.

The SEC coaches’ third preseason squad was announced by league officials just six days prior to the well attended SEC Media Days in Birmingham. Johnson, Stamper and Goff will represent Vanderbilt at Media Days next Wednesday. More than 600 media representatives are expected.

Bennett put together one of the finest freshman receiving campaigns in Southeastern Conference history in 2005. He set SEC records for most receptions by a freshman and tied a 28-year-old league mark with five touchdown catches versus Kentucky. On the season, he totalled 79 receptions, tying the second most in Vanderbilt history, good for 876 yards and nine touchdowns. His performance earned Bennett both All-SEC and All-SEC Freshman honors, in addition to Freshman All-American recognition.

As the 2005 season progressed, Bennett blossomed. He was remarkable in the Commodores’ — nabbing 49 catches for 545 yards and nine TDs versus South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. In the finale at Tennessee, Bennett was responsible for all the yards in the Commodores’ last-minute, game-winning drive. His final catch — a five yarder from SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jay Cutler — gave Vanderbilt its first victory over Tennessee in more than 20 years.

A three-year starter, Stamper anchored the line, helping Vanderbilt produce one of the most productive offensive units in team history. In 2005, Stamper was named second team All-SEC by the coaches after allowing zero quarterback sacks during his junior campaign.

Named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist in June, Stamper was named one of two co-captains for the 2006 season.

Goff, a redshirt junior who started every game as a sophomore, is the Commodore defensive captain. He is the team’s top returnees in solo tackles and total tackles. He also added three tackles for loss, a sack and two defensed passes while making several key short-yardage plays for the defense.

After the opener at Michigan, the Commodores start their SEC schedule with a road game at Alabama on Sept. 9. The team’s home opener, scheduled Sept. 16, is against another SEC West foe Arkansas.

Season tickets for Vanderbilt’s six home games are the least expensive in the SEC, starting at $80 per person. Besides Arkansas, Vanderbilt hosts Tennessee State on Sept. 23, Temple on Sept. 30, South Carolina on Oct. 21, Florida on Nov. 4 and Tennessee on Nov. 18. Click here for tickets.

The team’s official fan day activity, Dore Jam, is scheduled Sunday, Aug. 13, starting at 4 p.m., at the squad’s practice facilities.