Nov. 4, 2016
Senior offensive tackle Will Holden is under consideration for national Academic All-America honors after being selected Thursday to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team.
The recognition puts Holden, a three-year starter from Green Cove Springs, Fla., in position to become Vanderbilt’s first national Academic All-America since linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer was selected in 2002. Sports information directors across the nation will vote on the national ballot in late November.
Holden also becomes the first Commodore district All-America recipient since punter Taylor Hudson and fullback Fitz Lassing were selected in 2013.
Holden has started 31 consecutive games for the Commodores. After earning a starting job at right tackle as a sophomore, he has played in the last two years at left tackle.
Holden, who garnered preseason All-Southeastern Conference consideration prior to his senior season, has played on virtually every meaningful offensive snap for the Commodores in 2015-16. During his career, he has contributing more than 75 pancake blocks.
A three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient, Holden is on schedule to finish a undergraduate degree this December in human and organizational development, with an emphasis on leadership. Holden is the 12th Commodore to earn district academic honors since 2002.
The full list of Commmodores to earn All-District Academic honors since 2000 follows:
2016 Will Holden (OL)
2013 Taylor Hudson (punter) and Fitz Lassing (FB)
2010 John Stokes (LB) and John Cole (WR)
2009 Stokes and Patrick Benoist (LB)
2008 Stokes and Benoist
2007 Benoist and Hamilton Holliday (OL)
2006 Ken Koger (safety)
2004 Justin Geisinger (OL)
2003 Kenan Arkan (OL)
2002 Hunter Hillenmeyer (LB)*
* later voted to First Team Academic All-America team