No matter what happens on the football field in the fall, Vanderbilt Commodores fans, alumni, and students can take solace in the fact that they are a baseball school. However, They have at least one legitimate NFL Draft prospect on their roster.
Although the Commodores didn’t have anybody selected in the 2022 or 2023 NFL Drafts, they produced Day 2 selections each year from 2017-2021. Could they get back on that horse in 2024?
Vanderbilt Commodores Roster and Depth Chart Changes
The Commodores are set to be one of the youngest teams in the SEC in 2023. Although seniors and graduates fill their secondary, their front seven looks like mostly underclassmen at this time.
AJ Swann must have earned the starting job as a sophomore based on what he showed as a true freshman because Mike Wright, the young man who led Vanderbilt to their first two SEC wins since 2019, transferred to Mississippi State to … sit behind Will Rogers.
The Commodores will undoubtedly struggle once again in the SEC, but at least they have one solidified weapon to boast offensively in WR Will Sheppard. However, RB Ray Davis transferred to Kentucky after a 1,200-plus yard effort in 2022.
Vanderbilt Commodores NFL Draft Prospects
Will Sheppard, WR
At 6’3″, 200 pounds, Sheppard has the size of a prototypical X receiver at the NFL level. The only thing keeping him from a top-10 spot in PFN’s preliminary WR rankings was a play-style preference between him and South Carolina WR Antwane Wells Jr.
While Sheppard is not Drake London, he wins in a similar fashion to the former first-round pick. He’s long but has a surprising start/stop ability and a general feel as a route runner.
Vanderbilt runs an offense geared toward trying to topple giants and not show off NFL Draft prospect talent. However, Sheppard shows translatable movement skills to suggest he can be a good professional route runner.
But Sheppard also has the ability and length to win in contested situations. He also elevates and high-points the ball well. And while he shows creativity after the catch, he likely will never be a post-catch wizard against NFL athletes.
Vanderbilt Commodores Schedule
- Week 0
Aug. 26: vs. Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors - Week 1
Sept. 2: vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs - Week 2
Sept. 9: at Wake Forest Demon Deacons - Week 3
Sept. 16: at UNLV Rebels - Week 4
Sept. 23: vs. Kentucky Wildcats - Week 5
Sept. 30: vs. Missouri Tigers - Week 6
Oct. 7: at Florida Gators - Week 7
Oct. 14: vs. Georgia Bulldogs - Week 8
BYE - Week 9
Oct. 28: at Ole Miss Rebels - Week 10
Nov. 4: vs. Auburn Tigers - Week 11
Nov. 11: at South Carolina Gamecocks - Week 12
BYE - Week 13
Nov. 25: at Tennessee Volunteers - Week 14
BYE - Week 15
BYE