July 16, 2009
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Five Vanderbilt standouts, including four veteran defensive performers, were named to the Coaches’ Preseason All-SEC Team, league officials announced today.
Three seniors – linebacker Patrick Benoist, cornerback Myron Lewis and punter Brett Upson – were named second team All-SEC by the coaches. Redshirt senior safety Ryan Hamilton and redshirt sophomore Chris Marve were named to the coaches’ third team.
Commodore Head Coach Bobby Johnson was pleased to hear of the coaches’ selections, and added even more Vanderbilt players were deserving of recognition.
“It’s great for these players and good for our program. Each one of them is coming off a tremendous year,” Johnson said. “I think it’s more of an indication that we are upgrading our roster and producing outstanding players in this conference.
“While I’m pleased for these individuals, other players on this team, guys like offensive tackle Thomas Welch, center Bradley Vierling and several of our defensive linemen are definitely worthy of consideration,” the head coach added.
One year ago, only two Commodores – defensive back D.J. Moore and safety Reshard Langford – were named to the Coaches’ preseason team. Vanderbilt went on to post its best season in years, finishing 7-6 overall. The campaign concluded with a 16-14 victory over nationally ranked Boston College in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
The Commodores open the 2009 season hosting Western Carolina on September 5 in Vanderbilt Stadium. Besides Western Carolina, other opponents on Vanderbilt’s six-game home schedule are SEC foes Mississippi State (Sept. 19), Ole Miss (Oct. 3), Georgia (Oct. 17) and Kentucky (Nov. 14), and Atlantic Coast Conference power Georgia Tech (Oct. 31).
Benoist, of Southlake, Texas, put together a career year in 2008 despite playing with an injured right hand for much of the season. He concluded the season with single-season highs in solo tackles (48), total tackles (109), tackles for loss (6.5) and defensed passes (5). A stellar student-athlete and two-time district academic All-American, Benoist also earned national acclaim in Vanderbilt’s early-season win over nationally ranked South Carolina, walking away with National Defensive Player of the Week honors after a 15-tackle performance. He came back three weeks later to earn the SEC’s top weekly defensive award after a win over Auburn.
Lewis, a three-year starter from Pompano Beach, Fla., has been mentioned as a preseason All-American and among the elite senior cornerbacks by NFL Draft analysts. He enters the season off a superb 2008 campaign, when he formed one of the SEC’s top cornerback tandems along with Moore.
Lewis finished with five interceptions in 2008, including game-clinching picks over nationally ranked foes Auburn and Boston College. He also shared the team lead with five quarterback sacks and set new single-season career highs in virtually every defensive category.
Upson, from Griffin, Ga., captured Most Valuable Player honors following the Commodores’ Music City Bowl victory, capping his finest season in a Vanderbilt uniform.
The three-year starter averaged a career-high of 40.1 yards per punt in 2008, and twice earned SEC Specialist of the Week honors. Nearly a third of his punts were downed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line and foes averaged just 4.2 yards per punt return.
Hamilton blossomed in 2008, setting career highs in solo tackles (51), total tackles (104), fumble recoveries (3) and interceptions (4). Hamilton also was remarkably consistent, posting at least five tackles in 12 of 13 games.
Hamilton also put together one of the greatest individual performances in Vanderbilt history in the Commodores’ road win at Ole Miss, tying a team record with three pass interceptions. Hamilton returned his first pick 79 yards for a score as Vanderbilt trailed 10-0 early in the game. His final interception sealed the Commodore victory. Hamilton also contributed a huge fourth-down tackle at the Vanderbilt 1-yard line in a performance that garnered National Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Marve had a tremendous year in 2008, earning SEC All-Freshman honors after contributing 105 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss for the Commodore defense. Marve also topped the SEC and ranked among national leaders with four forced fumbles.
One of Marve’s top plays came late in the closing minutes of Vanderbilt’s win at Ole Miss. With the Rebels driving for a potential go-ahead score, Marve stripped an Ole Miss runner of the ball, with the Commodores recovering in the end zone.