Linebacker Nate Campbell Returns to Football Team

by leathers

The Vanderbilt football roster expanded Tuesday with news that former contributor Nate Campbell is back with the team after a one-year absence.

Campbell, an outside linebacker from Hazen, Ark., has been readmitted to the university and is eligible to play this season, his fourth in a Commodore uniform.

When the Commodores arrive for preseason camp in early August, Campbell will be one of the team's more experienced linebackers. Only returning starters Chris Marve and John Stokes have enjoyed more snaps than Campbell in the linebacker corps.

Campbell posted 16 total tackles while playing in all 25 games of the 2007-08 seasons.

Johnson on 104.5 The Zone Thursday PM

by Leathers

Bobby Johnson will spend 30 minutes this afternoon talking Vanderbilt football with hosts from 104.5 The Zone's "3 Hour Lunch" Show. The Johnson segment starts at 1:30 pm CT.

Johnson will appear on-location with co-hosts Brent Dougherty, Clay Travis and Blaine Bishop. Commodore fans wanting to greet the coach can attend the show at Ferguson's located across from Vanderbilt's 100 Oaks Mall at 3201 Powell Lane.

And the Award Winners are...

by Leathers

Eugene Henderson, a counselor in the Office of Academic Support, presents the first honor – the Dr. Henry Tyler Award for outstanding academic achievement. And the winner recipient is senior linebacker and co-captain Patrick Benoist.

The Lifter of the Year Award goes to redshirt junior defensive tackle Adam Smotherman.

Top offensive and defensive scout honors go to offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and linebacker Marc Panu, respectively.

Freshman returner Warren Norman and senior Brett Upson shared the team's Specialist of the Year recognition.

Other Commodores earning special recognition were:
• Receiver of the Year Award – John Cole, redshirt freshman wide receiver
• Offensive Lineman Award – Bradley Vierling, redshirt senior center
• Defensive Lineman Award – T.J. Greenstone, redshirt sophomore tackle
• Linebacker Award – Chris Marve, redshirt sophomore
• Defensive Back Award – Casey Hayward, sophomore cornerback

Full House as Head Coach Starts Player Introductions

by Leathers

After welcoming everyone to the banquet, Head Coach Johnson started the banquet activities by introducing the Commodore specialists, including All-SEC pick and four-year starting punter Brett Upson and All-SEC Freshman kicker Ryan Fowler.

After Coach Johnson concluded, each assistant coach spent a few minutes introducing their position corps, with the offensive staff going first. Announcement of individual and team awards are coming momentarily.

2009 Football Banquet About to Begin

by Leathers

The Vanderbilt Football Banquet is about to start, with Coach Johnson and the Vanderbilt staff hosting a recognition luncheon to honor the 2009 Commodore squad. We'll give updates on all the individual awards announced at the affair.

Nearly 300 players, family members and staffers are expected to attend the event, staged on campus at Vanderbilt Student Life Center.

Haye signs with Titans

By Barca Blog - Former Commodore Jovan Haye is coming back to Nashville.

The Tennessee Titans signed the defensive tackle to a four-year deal worth a reported $16 million Monday according to Terry McCormick of the Nashville City Paper.

"It means a lot," said Haye, who played at Vanderbilt from 2002-04. "I say to myself now, I’m back home. This is a place where I visited often. During Super Bowl week, this is where I was the whole week. It feels good. Vanderbilt is right up the street. I have a lot of friends here, and just to have an opportunity to play for a great organization, that was key in the decision."

Haye spent most of the last three seasons with Tampa Bay. Last year, he started 14 games and recorded 33 tackles. In 2007, he had a career-best six sacks and 68 tackles.

As a Commodore, Haye had 149 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and one interception in three seasons and earned second-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore.

Read More About Haye:
TitansOnline Release
Press Conference Quotes
Tennessean Release
Nashville City Paper Release

How much for one rib?

You might remember the title to this blog... It was a line by Chris Rock in a popular Wayans' film from the 80's (I'm Gonna Get You...).

Well, there were more than enough ribs to go around the main dining area of the General Jackson Showboat Sunday night for the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl's official Welcome Party.

The event featured a couple of friendly competitions between Vanderbilt and Boston College (including a Rib Eating Contest) to get the juices flowing before kickoff on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for us, the Eagles opened the night by taking the sports trivia challenge and the 4-man Rib Eating Contest.

There was only one hope left to keep the enemy from sweeping the night. His name? Eric Hensley.

Watch what happens by clicking here.

And in honor of Hensley winning the individual strap (a wrestling term for "title belt"), here's a clip of the day courtesy of Johnny Drama. I think you know what's coming.