Dec. 8, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vanderbilt’s all-purpose standout Warren Norman was joined by teammates Chris Marve, Myron Lewis and Brett Upson on the Coaches’ All-Southeastern Conference Team that was announced Tuesday by league officials.
All four Commodores were named to the coaches’ All-SEC second team. Norman, a record-breaking freshman from Stone Mountain, Ga., was named as a return specialist. Marve, a sophomore from Memphis, Tenn., and Lewis, a senior from Pompano Beach, Fla., were named at linebacker and defensive back, respectively. Upson, a senior from Griffin, Ga., earned honors for his punting abilities.
Norman and Lewis also were named All-SEC performers Monday by a panel of Associated Press sportswriters, with Norman walking away as the writers’ SEC Freshman of the Year.
The coaches’ individual award winners is expected to be announced Wednesday. On Thursday, the coaches’ SEC Freshman Team will be released.
The four Commodore selections to the coaches’ All-SEC teams ties for the second most since the conference went to divisional play in 1992. The highest total of Vanderbilt players ever picked by the coaches came in 2005 when five Commodores, including SEC Offensive Player of the Year Jay Cutler, was included.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson was thrilled for each of the All-SEC recipients.
“I’m really pleased for all of them,” Johnson said. “Warren (Norman) just put together a fantastic season as a freshman, and Myron (Lewis) had a fine year and tremendous career. I’m also glad that Chris (Marve) was recognized for the great year he put together at linebacker. And finally, I’m thankful that the coaches appreciated how effective Brett (Upson) was this season as our punter.”
Norman broke several SEC and Vanderbilt marks in his first Commodore season. He amassed 1,941 all-purpose yards, breaking a 29-year-old SEC freshman record set by legendary Georgia back Herschel Walker in addition to the all-time Vanderbilt record. Norman also topped the SEC with an average of 161.8 all-purpose yards, becoming the first freshman to lead the league in that stat category since Walker.
Norman also became just the second SEC player ever to return three kickoffs for touchdowns. His return achievements included breaking the SEC mark for most kickoff return yards in a season (1,050 yards), compiling 1,050 yards on returns. Norman’s 26.2-yard kickoff return average ranks as the highest modern-day average by a Commodore with at least 10 returns. Norman also ranked eighth in the SEC with 783 rushing yards, the second highest total ever by a Commodore freshman.
Lewis contributed four interceptions, 12 passes defended and 41 total tackles in his final year as a Commodore. He ranked fourth in the SEC this season in both interceptions and defensed passes. Lewis finished his career tied for second among active SEC players with 10 interceptions. He is tied for ninth all-time among Commodores in interceptions.
Marve continues the Commodore tradition of outstanding linebackers, stretching a streak of All-SEC performers to six consecutive seasons. Marve was sensational throughout his redshirt sophomore season, finishing the year as the SEC’s second leading tackler with 121 total tackles. He also ranked third in the league with 57 solo tackles and three forced fumbles.
Upson, the 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player, becomes the Commodores’ first All-SEC punter since Bill Marinangel earned all-conference and All-America honors in 1996. Upson put together his finest year as a senior, averaging a career-high 43.1 yards per attempt. Nearly one-third of his NCAA-high 81 punts were downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. In eight SEC games, Upson averaged 44.0 yards per punt.
