June 3, 2015
Two Vanderbilt standouts, return specialist Darrius Sims and tight end Steven Scheu, have been named to preseason All-Southeastern Conference teams recently by national college football publications.
Sims, a junior from Whitehaven High School in Memphis, was named as the conference’s first-team kick return specialist by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Scheu, from Reitz Memorial H.S. in Evansville, Ind., was named to Phil Steele’s fourth team All-SEC unit.
Sims, who has also seen action for the Commodores as a cornerback on defense and receiver-running back on offense, is coming off one of the best seasons ever achieved by a Vanderbilt return specialist. He earned third team All-SEC recognition from Phil Steele in 2014 after averaging 24.5 yards on 31 kick returns.
Sims also produced one of the finest games ever by a SEC returner during the 2014 season. He became the first returner in conference history to take two kicks for touchdowns in a game, scoring from 91 and 100 yards against South Carolina. His 217 total yards of kick returns against the Gamecocks also ranks as the second highest single-game total in conference history, behind the 243-yard total achieved by Vanderbilt’s Kwane Doster at Ole Miss on Sept. 21, 2002.
Scheu was named as a second team All-SEC recipient by the Associated Press last year after setting career highs with 39 receptions, 525 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. He was the Commodore leader in receptions and yardage, and tied for the team lead in touchdown catches.
Scheu’s receptions total also topped all SEC tight ends and was the most posted by a Vanderbilt tight end since 1985. His receiving yardage total ranked second in the conference behind Evan Engram of Ole Miss and was the highest single-season total by a Commodore since 1983.
The Commodores return 21 total starters and 52 letterwinners from a year ago. They open the season at home Sept. 5 against Western Kentucky. Other home games include Georgia, Sept. 12; Austin Peay, Sept. 9; Missouri, Oct. 24; Kentucky, Nov. 14; and Texas A&M, Nov. 21.
Vanderbilt season tickets are available online at vucommodores.com, by phone at (615) 322-GOLD (4653), or in person at the Athletic Box Office, 2601 Jess Neely Drive, Nashville.
