Tribute to Vanderbilt's T.J. Greenstone

Nine Vanderbilt seniors make up the first class to ever play in two bowl games during their Commodore careers. Leading up to the Liberty Bowl, VandyMania.com will look back on each senior's career. In this segment T.J. Greenstone is featured.

THE BASICS:

T.J. Greenstone

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Ga.

High school: Collins Hill

Position: DT

HT: 6-3 WT: 290

Chose Vanderbilt over: Furman and Jacksonville State.

OVERVIEW:

One of the most intense and motivated players to ever wear the Black & Gold, T.J. Greenstone is still another Vanderbilt senior who has been a steady performer for the Commodores over the past four years. After being redshirted during the 2007 season, Greenstone played in every game including the 2008 Music City Bowl and finished the campaign with 33 tackles including six for losses. The Georgia native earned Freshman All-SEC honors after the season. During his sophomore season in 2009, Greenstone saw even more action and finished with 38 tackles and two sacks. At the end of the season he earned the team's Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award. During the 2010 season Greenstone was hampered with a leg injury and missed three games while being somewhat limited in other games. He still finished with 28 tackles and had a sack against LSU. He also blocked a field goal against Northwestern. This season Greenstone got off to a bad start with the new coaching staff causing him to miss being a starter at the beginning of the season. Then he missed four games because of a leg injury. He finally recovered from the injury and another medical issue, earning starts in every game since the Kentucky game. Greenstone answered the call and came up with sacks against both UK and the Vols. He has just 11 tackles on the season but should be a big factor in the Commodore defense against Cincinnati.

BEST MOMENT:

Against Boston College as a freshman, Greenstone had four tackles, a QB hurry and a tackle for loss.

MEMORABLE QUOTE:

"It's no greater feeling; it's an adrenaline rush and it's something you just can't experience unless you do it yourself. You can talk about and try to describe it to somebody but it's something you really can't grasp unless you've been there." Greenstone on what it feels like to sack a QB, August, 2010.

HONORS:

2009: Team Most Valuable Defensive Lineman Award; 2008: First Team All-SEC Freshman (coaches); 2007: Team Defensive Scout MVP award

CAREER STATS:

Tackles: 110
Tackles for loss (solo): 14
Tackles for loss (assist): 9
Sacks (solo): 4
Sacks (assist): 1
Passes broken up: 2
Forced fumbles: 1
QB hurries: 5
Blocked kicks: 1

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