Dec. 9, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three first-year contributors at Vanderbilt – offensive lineman Wesley Johnson, safety Kenny Ladler and defensive end Walker May – were named to the 11th annual Southeastern Conference Coaches’ All-Freshman Team, the league office announced today.
Johnson, a redshirt freshman from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, was named as an offensive tackle. Ladler, a true freshman from Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain, Ga., and May, a redshirt freshman from Briarwood Christian School in Birmingham, Ala., were named at defensive back and defensive end, respectively.
Florida led the way with five selections to the coaches’ all-freshman team. Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee had four recipients. Georgia and LSU matched Vanderbilt with three players. South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore was the league’s top newcomer, earning Freshman of the Year and first team All-SEC earlier this week.
Johnson started all 12 games on the Commodore offensive line, protecting the quarterback’s blind side from the left tackle position. He consistently graded out among the team’s top performers on the interior front, and earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors after the Commodores’ early-season victory at Ole Miss.
Ladler earned nine starts at strong safety, including starting assignments in the final eight games. He finished fifth on the team with 57 total tackles and 41 unassisted stops. Ladler also contributed 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception and forced fumble, and two defensed passes. He posted at least three tackles in each of the Commodores’ last 10 games.
May was one of eight defensive linemen named by the coaches. Productive in a reserve role for much of the year, May suffered a season-ending leg injury against Florida. It marked his only career start. Despite the injury, May concluded the season with 29 total tackles and 1.5 quarterback sacks. He had at least three tackles in seven consecutive midseason games.