Nov. 21, 2016
Redshirt senior left tackle Will Holden was named as a co-recipient of SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors today after his performance in the Commodores’ 38-17 victory over Ole Miss last Saturday.
Holden, a Green Cove Springs, Fla. native, earned a superb 93 percent blocking grade and notched three domination blocks in the win over the Rebels, against whom he played all 76 offensive snaps.
He contributed key blocks on two of Ralph Webb’s three rushing touchdowns, which came during a 31-0 run after the Commodores fell behind 10-0 early in the first quarter.
Holden also limited Ole Miss’ standout defensive end Marquis Haynes to three assisted tackles and did not allow a single pressure while protecting quarterback Kyle Shurmur’s blind side. With Holden up front, the Commodores amassed 208 rushing yards and 481 total yards, season-highs this year in SEC competition.
Holden is a three-year starter at tackle, a three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree and an CoSIDA all-district academic recipient. He is Vanderbilt’s first SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week since Spencer Pulley in Oct. 2015.
Holden is the second Commodore to be recognzed by the league office this year. Linebacker Zach Cunningham was SEC Defensive Player of the Week after a remarkable 19-tackle performance in Vanderbilt’s 17-16 win at Georgia Oct. 15.
Holden was a co-recipient of the weekly honor with Arkansas tackle Dan Skipper.