December 10, 2021

RISE Awards In The Books

Anfernee Orji was named the team MVP at Vanderbilt football's 2021 RISE Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea concluded his first year at the helm of the Commodores by holding the inaugural RISE Awards on Friday.

Anfernee Orji was named the team’s Most Valuable Player while Chris Pierce Jr. collected Offensive Player of the Year and Ethan Barr was named Defensive Player of the Year. Those were among 23 end-of-year awards handed out at the Langford Auditorium on Vanderbilt’s campus.

Orji led the Commodores and finished among the top-10 in the SEC in tackles with 92. He added 13 tackles for loss, one sack, two QB hurries and a forced fumble. Pierce paced the Commodore receiving corps with 654 yards on 57 catches. Barr finished second on the team with 85 tackles.

2021 RISE Awards

Award	Player
O-Show Award (Offensive Scout Team)	Wilson Long
Skull & Bones Award (Defensive Scout Team)	Miles Capers
Rough Riders Award (Special Teams Scout Team)	Marlen Sewell
Reaper Strength & Conditioning Award	Camden Coleman
Scholar of the Year	Harrison Smith
Star Standards Award	Elijah McAllister
Special Teams Player of the Year	Errington Trusdell
Specialist of the Year	Joseph Bulovas
Courage Award	BJ Anderson
Freshman of the Year	Patrick Smith
Fighting Spirit Award	Dashaun Jerkins
Offensive Trenches Award	Tyler Steen
Defensive Trenches Award	Nate Clifton
Humble Worker Award	Ken Seals
Tough Award	Jaylen Mahoney
Respect & Appreciation Award	Michael Warden
Most Improved Defensive Player	Michael Owusu
Most Improved Offensive	Mike Wright
Defensive Player of the Year	Ethan Barr
Offensive Player of the Year	Chris Pierce Jr.
Newcomer of the Year	Will Sheppard
Team One Award	Daevion Davis
Most Valuable Player	Anfernee Orji