#6 Brandon Barden Season 2011-12

Honors
• 2011 SEC Academic Honor Roll
• 2010 SEC Academic Honor Roll

2010
Barden completed his Vanderbilt career ranked among the all-time leading receivers from the tight end position… Finished career with 107 receptions and 1,234 receiving yards, trailing only former All-America Allama Matthews among Vanderbilt tight ends… As a senior, posted 16 receptions, good for 243 yards and one TD… Played in 11 of 13 games, earning 10 starts at tight end… Missed Ole Miss and South Carolina games after suffering lower leg injury in win over UConn… Concluded regular season with one of the best performances of his career and provided one of the team[apos]s offensive highlights of the season – taking a Jordan Rodger’ pass 73 yards for a TD… The score resulted from Barden’s individual effort, including hurdling one defender and stiff-arming another… Topped the team with 80 receiving yards in finale… Season high in catches (4) came in win over Kentucky… Had three catches vs. Cincinnati in AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

2010
Started all 12 games at tight end in third season as key performer for Commodore offense… Minutes increased when fellow junior Austin Monahan and sophomore Mason Johnston went down with season-ending knee injuries…Topped squad in several receiving categories, including receptions (34) and receiving yards (425), with both representing single-season career highs… Named second team All-SEC by Associated Press after the season… Only receiver on squad to register a catch in every game, stretching his streak to 18 consecutive games with a reception… Had three or more catches in seven games, including matching previous career high with five receptions against LSU and Connecticut… Had four catches for 63 yards and a TD in opener vs. Northwestern… Had TD receptions against Connecticut and Arkansas… Matched career-long receptions (43 yards) against Tennessee… Finished season as team[apos]s active career leader in catches (91), receiving yards (1,001) and TD receptions (8).

2009
Played in every game and earned eight starting assignments at tight end… Entered season sharing minutes and starts with fellow sophomore Austin Monahan… Role increased significantly when Monahan went down with knee injury against Georgia… Concluded year with single-season highs in receptions (29) and receiving yards (357)… Ranked second on team behind John Cole in both receiving categories… Set single-game career high with 67 receiving yards in finale at Tennessee… Matched previous game high in receptions (5) against both Georgia and Tennessee… Earned team[apos]s Offensive Player of the Week honor after 5-catch, 49-yard effort against Georgia that included 5-yard TD reception… Had at least two receptions in last six games… Had two catches for 52 yards, including a career long reception of 43 yards, against South Carolina… Through two seasons, Barden has 57 receptions, more than any other active Commodore.

2008
Former high school quarterback developed into one of the team[apos]s top receiving targets in first year of action… Played in every game at tight end, starting final 10 games after season-ending injury to Austin Monahan… Finished season as top freshman receiving TE in nation with 28 receptions… Named by coaches to All-SEC Freshman squad… Earned Freshman All-America recognition… Also saw action on punt coverage units… Made quick impact on offense, catching key 31-yard TD pass in victory over South Carolina… Posted at least two receptions in seven of final eight games… Catch in back of end zone provided winning points in victory over Auburn…Contributed season-high five catches and 53 receiving yards vs. Duke… Also had four receptions and superb 1-yard catch and TD in win at Kentucky… Notched Commodores’ only touchdown in season finale, catching 5-yard pass from QB Larry Smith… Had one catch for four yards in Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl victory.

2007
Did not play as redshirt freshman… Impressed as scout team tight end… Named Offensive Scout of the Week after Wake Forest game… Transferred to Vanderbilt after initially signing and entering classes at Virginia Tech.

High School
Versatile QB who helped pilot history-rich Georgia school to consecutive A state titles in 2005-06 seasons… As senior, passed for 520 yards, rushed for 604 yards and caught 10 passes for 181 yards… Played TE as sophomore… Named Most Valuable Player in baseball.

Personal
Brandon Michael Barden… Son of Mike Barden and Becky Barden… Has an older sister, Brittany… Born March 15, 1989… Mom is principal of Lincoln County H.S.; dad is private constructor… Barden[apos]s alma mater produced former Georgia standout tailback Garrison Hearst… Originally signed and enrolled at Virginia Tech out of high school; left Blacksburg campus after one semester, transferring to Vanderbilt program… Barden completed an undergraduate degree in Special Education from the Peabody College in December.