Dec. 4, 2017
ATLANTA ¬ Vanderbilt defensive standout Charles Wright was named to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team on Monday.
Wright, a junior outside linebacker from Irvine, Calif., was named to the AP’s second-team All-SEC unit.
Wright enjoyed a banner campaign this year as a 12-game starter. He ranked second in the conference with nine quarterback sacks, the highest total by a Vanderbilt defender since Alan Young set a school record with 12 sacks in 1993.
Wright also registered 43 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss. Wright opened the year in sensational fashion, amassing 6.5 sacks in Vanderbilt’s 3-0 start to the season. Those performances included a career-high three sacks in Vanderbilt’s season-opening victory at Middle Tennessee and 2.5 sacks in the Commodores’ September win over No. 19 ranked Kansas State.
Later in the year, Wright contributed a pair of sacks in Vanderbilt’s non-conference victory over Western Kentucky. He concluded the year with a final sack in the Commodores’ 42-24 win at Tennessee.
Wright joins a select list of recent Commodore defensive standouts recognized by the Associated Press. He becomes the fifth Vanderbilt linebacker to be honored in the last decade, joining Zach Cunningham (2015-16), Chris Marve (2011), Patrick Benoist (2008) and Jonathan Goff (2007).
The complete Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team follows:
First-Team Offense
WR  A.J. Brown, Ole Miss; Calvin Ridley, Alabama
OT – Jonah Williams, Alabama; Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
OG – Braden Smith, Auburn; Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
C – Bradley Bozeman, Alabama; Will Clapp, LSU
TE – Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
QB – Drew Lock, Missouri
RB – Kerryon Johnson, Auburn; Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
PK – Daniel Carlson, Auburn All-Purpose – Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
First-Team Defense
DE – Jeff Holland, Auburn; Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DT – Da’Ron Payne, Alabama; Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
LB – Roquan Smith, Georgia; Devin White, LSU; Rashaan Evans, Alabama; Arden Key, LSU
CB – Andraez Williams, LSU; Armani Watts, Texas A&M
Safety – Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama; Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
P – Johnny Townsend, Florida
Second-Team Offense
WR – J’Mon Moore, Missouri; Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
OT – Martinas Rankin, Mississippi State; Martez Ivey, Florida
OG – Trey Smith, Tennessee; Greg Little, Ole Miss
C – Frank Ragnow, Arkansas
TE – Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
QB – Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
RB – Nick Chubb, Georgia; Derrius Guice, LSU
PK – Eddy Pineiro, Florida
All-Purpose – Mecole Hardman, Georgia; D.J. Chark, LSU
Second Team Defense
DE – Marcell Frazier, MissouriMarquis Haynes, Ole Miss; Dante Sawyer, South Carolina
DT – Taven Bryan, Florida, Raekwon Davis, Alabama; Breeland Speaks, Ole Miss
LB – Josh Allen, Kentucky; Lorenzo Carter, Georgia; De’Jon Harris, Arkansas; Skai Moore, South Carolina; Charles Wright, Vanderbilt
CB – Duke Dawson, Florida; Levi Wallace, Alabama; Carlton Davis, Auburn; CJ Henderson, Florida
Safety – J.R. Reed, Georgia.
P – JK Scott, Alabama
