Dec. 10, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Vanderbilt running back and return specialist Warren Norman, recognized as the consensus SEC Freshman of the Year earlier in the week, was joined by teammates Ryan Fowler and Ryan Seymour on the SEC coaches’ All-Freshman team, league officials announced Thursday.
Norman joined Alabama’s Trent Richardson as running backs on the SEC freshman squad. Fowler was selected unanimously as placekicker while Seymour was named to the offensive line.
“As first-year players, these guys did a tremendous job for the Commodores. Each is deserving of this recognition,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson. “I’m also proud that each one of them seemed to get better with each week. They were playing their best football in the closing weeks of the season.”
Norman, from Chamblee High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., became the Commodores’ second SEC Freshman of the Year, picked by both league coaches and Associated Press beat writers, after breaking several SEC and Vanderbilt marks in his first season.
Norman amassed 1,941 all-purpose yards, breaking a SEC freshman record set by legendary Georgia running back Herschel Walker, and became just the second player in league history to return three kickoffs for touchdowns. Norman also topped the SEC with an average of 161.8 all-purpose yards, becoming the first freshman to lead the SEC since Walker, and was the Commodore leader with 783 rushing yards, the second highest total ever by a Vanderbilt freshman. He added 19 receptions and accounted for seven total touchdowns.
Fowler was a unanimous selection as the coaches’ freshman placekicker. After missing four of the first nine field goals he attempted as a Commodore, Fowler finished the year as one of the SEC’s hottest kickers, converting his last eight tries and 11 of his last 12. He also made his last four field goals beyond 40 yards, including a career-long 47 yarder against Kentucky, and all 20 extra point tries.
A native of Taylors, S.C., Fowler also matched a 25-year-old Vanderbilt record previously set by Ricky Anderson with 16 field goals in a single season. His 68-point scoring total is tied with Bryant Hahnfeldt (2005) for fifth all-time by a Vanderbilt kicker.
A native of Kingsland, Ga., Seymour was effective as a late-season replacement for starting left tackle Thomas Welch. Seymour saw extended action in the Commodores’ final five games. His first career start came opposite Florida’s All-SEC defensive end Jermaine Cunningham.
COACHES’ FRESHMAN ALL-SEC
OFFENSE
Quarterback: Morgan Newton, Kentucky
Running Backs: Trent Richardson, Alabama; Warren Norman, Vanderbilt
Wide Receivers: Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina; Chad Bumphis, Mississippi State
Tight End: Orson Charles, Georgia
Linemen: Barrett Jones, Alabama; Xavier Nixon, Florida; Ryan Seymour, Vanderbilt; Larry Warford, Kentucky; T.J. Johnson, South Carolina
DEFENSE
Linemen: Devin Taylor, South Carolina; Tenarius Wright, Arkansas; Fletcher Cox, Mississippi State; Montez Robinson, Georgia; Omar Hunter, Florida
Linebackers: Nico Johnson, Alabama; D.T. Shackelford, Ole Miss; Herman Lathers, Tennessee
Defensive Backs: Johnthan Banks, Miss. State; Corey Broomfield, Miss. State; Daren Bates, Auburn; Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina
SPECIALISTS:
Placekicker: Ryan Fowler, Vanderbilt
Punter: Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss
