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 |
