July 19, 2012
Vanderbilt senior Zac Stacy has been named as an early candidate for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top college football running back.
The recognition is the latest in a string of preseason honors for Stacy, a native of Centreville, Ala., who set a new Commodore team record last year with 1,193 rushing yards. Stacy also has earned All-Southeastern Conference preseason honors from the media and league’s 14 coaches and has been mentioned as a candidate for the Maxwell Award which goes to the nation’s top offensive player.
Stacy is one of five Commodores to earn preseason recognition on watchlists for prestigious individual honors. Others are senior defensive tackle Rob Lohr, Bronko Nagurski and Rotary Lombardi Award; junior offensive tackle Wesley Johnson, Outland Trophy; junior wide receiver Jordan Matthews, Biletnikoff Award; and senior punter Richard Kent, Ray Guy Award.
In 2011, the 5-9, 210-lb., Stacy also matched the Vanderbilt single-season record with 14 rushing touchdowns. He also averaged a career-high 5.9 yards on 201 carries, the most by a Commodore running back since Jermaine Johnson had a team-high 267 rushes in 1995. Stacy also returns this season as the SEC’s leading rusher from a year ago.
Stacy topped 100 rushing yards in five games last year. His highest effort – a 198-yard performance against Army – ranks third all-time among Commodore backs. Stacy also tallied three rushing touchdowns against Army, Wake Forest and Kentucky.
The senior ranks second among active SEC backs with 2,002 career rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He needs 631 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to become the Commodore career leader.
