July 15, 2016
Zach Cunningham and Ralph Webb have been named preseason All-Southeastern Conference recipients by attendees at SEC Media Days, which was held earlier this week in Hoover, Ala.
Cunningham and Webb was voted to the media’s second team all-conference units: Cunningham as linebacker and Webb as running back.
Several other Commodore players received votes from the panel of more than 325 sportswriters and broadcasters. Those included wide receiver Trent Sherfield, offensive linemen Will Holden and Andrew Jelks, linebackers Nigel Bowden and Oren Burks, cornerback Torren McGaster and placekicker Tommy Openshaw.
Both Cunningham and Webb have been named to numerous preseason All-SEC squads, including publications released by Athlon Sports, Lindys and Phil Steele.
Cunningham, a redshirt junior product of Pinson Valley (Ala.) High School, was a consensus First Team All-SEC recipient a year ago when he ranked among conference leaders with 69 solo tackles, 103 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.
Webb, a redshirt junior product from Gainesville (Fla.) High School, has topped the Commodores in rushing the last two years, and ranks fourth among active SEC backs with 2,059 career rushing yards. In 2015, he rushed for 1,152 yards, the second highest single-season total in team history.
Cunningham, Webb and Burks have been listed earlier to various watch lists for prestigious collegiate awards. Cunningham has been named to Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Dick Butkus Award. Webb was recognized as a candidate for the Doak Walker Award. Burks has been named to the Allstate-American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team and Wuerffel Trophy.
The entire 2016 preseason Media Days All-SEC Team is here.
The Commodores will open their regular season Thursday, Sept. 1 by hosting SEC East opponent South Carolina in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Besides South Carolina, the Commodores also host Middle Tennessee on Sept. 10, Florida on Oct. 1, Tennessee State for homecoming on Oct. 22, Ole Miss on Nov. 19, and Tennessee on Nov. 26.
Season tickets remain available, starting at $135 for end-zone locations and only $250 for premium sideline seats in Vanderbilt Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online or via the phone at (615) 322-GOLD (4653).
The Vanderbilt Ticket Office also is open during regular hours on weekends in McGugin Athletics Center, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville