Warren Norman runs away with SEC Freshman of Year

If I'd told you in August that a Vandy player would win SEC Freshman of the Year, who would you have picked?

Most of you thought wide receiver Brady Brown would have the most impact. He didn't catch a single pass.

As far as running backs go, Warren Norman was supposed to be our third-best true freshman, behind Zac Stacy and Wesley Tate, but Norman was off to the races in preseason camp and never looked back. Stacy was brilliant before injuring his foot against LSU, and Tate wowed coaches on the scout team and could be a force next season as a redshirt freshman.

But Norman was our one bright spot this season, and he represents the future. We're all trying to forget the Army game, but that was the game Norman became a star. He was the best player on the field, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and having two other long touchdown runs called back. He was also a true freshman, straining for the goal line in overtime but fumbling and watching the ball roll out of the end zone.

Norman amassed a whopping 1,941 total yards, breaking Herschel Walker's 28-year-old record for total all-purpose yards gained by a freshman. Here's a breakdown:
• Kickoff returns: 40 returns for 1,050 yards and three TDs
• Rushing: 145 carries for 783 yards and three TDs
• Receiving: 19 carries for 108 yards and one TD

Senior cornerback Myron Lewis was named to the second team, and Chris Marve was one of only three honorable mentions on defense.