“Desire in the Pros: NFL Opening”
It’s time to take a closer look at the Commodores who are competing at the highest level on the gridiron as the 2023 NFL season is just hours away from starting.
The best time of the year is here. The 103rd glorious NFL season will officially kick off tomorrow night at Arrowhead Stadium with one big swing from either Harrison Butker or Riley Patterson. In light of this, now is the ideal moment to explore the league and discover where former Commodores will be competing. These competitors range from practice squad players vying for a spot to players expected to play key roles in future Super Bowl runs.
Baltimore Ravens, Jeremy Lucien (2022) at cornerback
Despite Lucien’s brief tenure at Vanderbilt, his influence as a fifth-year senior who transferred from UConn cannot be understated. Despite playing against some of the best wide receivers in the SEC, Lucien led all cornerbacks on the team in tackles (48) and passes defensed (5) during his one and only season as a Commodore. After the 2023 NFL Draft, he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent due to his dependability and special combination of size and jumping ability. He didn’t take long to makemade headlines in Baltimore when he recovered a fumble during the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter, enabling Baltimore to win 24 straight games in their preseason. After that, he put on back-to-back strong performances in Weeks Two and Three. Although those performances were insufficient to secure him a spot on Baltimore’s 53-man roster, they did earn him a spot on the Ravens practice squad, which included sixteen players going into the regular season.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Trent Sherfield (2014–2017)
Throughout his four years at Vanderbilt, Sherfield stood out, consistently inflicting damage on opposing defenses. Though he finished ninth among Commodores all-time in receiving yards and receptions, he also showed consistency. His career was highlighted by a 240-yard performance against Austin Peay, which set the school record for receiving yards in a game. Sherfield signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cardinals after his senior year, but he left Arizona after four unsuccessful seasons to sign with the Miami Dolphins before the 2022 campaign. That proved to be a wise choice when Sherfield became well-known in Miami.
obtaining a career-high 417 yards and 2 touchdowns from 31 receptions. He signed a one-year, $1.77 million contract with the Buffalo Bills for 2023 as a result of his stellar season.
Chicago Bears, Khari Blasingame, fullback (2014–2018)
Blasingame didn’t follow the usual route to the NFL, but he has shown to be a valuable asset ever since joining the team. He switched to running back at the start of his sophomore year at Vanderbilt following a largely unproductive first season as a linebacker. He promptly proved his worth, scoring 10 touchdowns in his debut season at the position.
During his final two years of college, he showed even more promise as a runner and run-blocker, and before the 2017 season, he signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Minnesota Vikings. After that, he played for a while with the Titans and is currently with the Bears, where he is listed as the starting fullback, allowing Khalil Herbert, a dynamic rusher, to take his place.
Cincinnati Bengals (2017–2022): Allan George, cornerback
George was a vital member of the Vanderbilt secondary for four years, holding his own against the best receivers in the SEC. With a career total of 142 tackles, 19 passes defensed, and two interceptions, he had a strong enough resume to be signed by the Bengals in 2022 as an undrafted free agent. George was promoted four times during the regular season to play mostly special teams, but he spent the majority of his rookie campaign on the practice squad. In the three playoff games the Bengals played, he also saw four snaps of action. Although George was not added to Cincinnati’s starting lineup for the 2023 season, he was signed again to their practice squad and is expected to play at some point this time of year.
Dayo Odeyingbo, Indianapolis Colts (2017–2020): Defensive End
Odeyingbo, who spent his first three years in the Black and Gold uniform as the face of the Vanderbilt defense, had an incredible senior season in which he recorded eight tackles for loss and five and a half sacks, earning him a spot on the All-SEC second team. Despite sustaining a torn achilles just months prior, Odeyingbo’s size, speed, and production during his time in college enabled the Indianapolis Colts to select him 54th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, making him one of the most highly drafted Commodores in recent memory.
He missed a large portion of his rookie season due to an achilles injury, but in 2022 he became a formidable member of the Indianapolis front seven. This season, he ought to get a lot of playing time as he attempts to improve on his five-sack sophomore campaign.
Tre Herndon, cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars, 2014–2017
Following an incredibly successful four years at Vanderbilt, where he totaled 126 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 25 passes defensed, Herndon set the precedent for other Commodore corners to make it to the NFL. During his final three years with the Commodores, he also started 36 out of 37 games.
demonstrating outstanding consistency in a challenging situation. An undrafted free agent in 2018, Herndon fought for a starting position in anticipation of his second NFL season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Before dropping down the depth chart in 2021, he held that position for two years, recording 131 tackles, three interceptions, and eighteen passes defensed. Nevertheless, he is still with the Jaguars and will likely be used off the bench this season.
Linebacker Anfernee Orji, New Orleans Saints (2019–2022)
Having finished his final season at Vanderbilt leading the SEC in tackles per game (9.0), Orji is one of the most recent Commodore stars. Orji became the first Commodore to lead Vanderbilt in tackles for three straight years, following Moses Osemweige (2003–2005). Orji signed with the New Orleans Saints in April, hours after not being selected in the draft. Orji led the team in tackles in his first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs with three, and Pro Football Focus gave him the second-highest grade of any defensive rookie (92.6).
Since veteran signee Jaylon Smith didn’t even make the roster, the Saints’ linebacker room has grown somewhat crowded, so Orji will need to be ready in the practice squad’s depths for his chance. Orji will have his opportunity because of his undeniable talent and athleticism.
Philadelphia Eagles, Zach Cunningham, linebacker (2013–2016)
Cunningham played for the Black and Gold for a very long time. In his senior year, he turned in one of the best seasons the Vanderbilt supporters have ever seen, and he became the first Commodore in school history to be named unanimously to the First Team All-America.
Cunningham recorded 285 tackles in his three years as a starter and is currently third all-time at Vanderbilt in tackles for loss (39.5). Cunningham has swept the league since the Houston Texans selected him in the second round of the draft. Cunningham led the NFL in both total and solo tackles (164) in 2020 after agreeing to a four-year, $58 million contract extension with the Texans. Cunningham is a top player on one of the best football teams’ depth charts after battling injuries and spending a short time back in Music City with the Tennessee Titans. Along with Nakobe Dean and Haason Reddick,the newly acquired Philadelphia Eagle will be apart of alinebacking core that is definitely trying to bring a To the City of Brotherly Love, Lombardi.
Oren Burks, San Francisco 49ers (2013–2017): Linebacker
Burks played four seasons for West End, starting at three different positions: as a redshirt freshman and sophomore, at safety; as a junior, at “star,” a hybrid position between linebacker and safety; and as a senior, at inside linebacker. The Green Bay Packers traded up to select him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he hasn’t had much of an impact since then. To date as a professional, Burks has not surpassed 40 total tackles in a season; however,
Similar to Cunnigham, he will have an excellent chance this season as a starter on one of the strongest teams in the league. Burks will play strongside linebacker next to Fred Warner and the gifted Dre Greenlaw.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive tackle, Justin Skule, played from 2015 to 2018.
Skule made 40 consecutive starts as a college player, setting an example of consistency. As a senior, he started every game at left tackle, guarding quarterback Kyle Shurmur’s blindside during his storied 3,310-yard, 24 touchdown season. He was a member of the 49ers’ 2020 Super Bowl winning team after being chosen in the sixth round. A summer, Skule tore his ACL. practice in 2021 and failed to resume their relationship with San Francisco. Following a year of circling around in the Buccaneers organization, Skule has established himself as Tristan Wirfs’ star left tackle backup.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, running back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017–2019)
Vaughn, an Illinois redshirt sophomore, transferred to Vanderbilt. Vaughn rushed for 1,015 yards during his final season as a Commodore, which ranks eighth in team history, and nine rushing touchdowns, which ranks sixth. Despite having just 23 career games, Vaughn amassed 2,259 yards, which ranked fifth among all Vanderbilt running backs. Vaughn won a Super Bowl in his rookie season after Tampa Bay selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In their Week 4 victory over the Chargers that season, Tom Brady hit him for his first NFL touchdown pass, going nine yards. With Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, and Chase Edmonds in the running back room, Vaughn will be the fourth option this season.
Adam Butler, Las Vegas Raiders, Defensive Tackle (2012–2016)
Butler was a dependable member of the Vanderbilt defensive line for four years in a row, constantly frightening the offenses of the opposition. At the end of his senior year, he recorded four sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 31 total tackles. In the Camping World Independence Bowl, Butler tied his career high with seven total tackles, three of which were solo. In 2017, he signed a contract as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots. Butler later made two trips to the Super Bowl with the Patriots, where he defeated the Rams in Super Bowl LIII to win a ring. Since then, Butler has been with a number of teams; he is currently with the Las Vegas Raiders. He will serve as Bilal Nichols’ backup defensive tackle.
Right guard Tyler Steen, Philadelphia Eagles (2018–2021)
As a true freshman, Steen spent a lot of time on the defensive end of the ball when he began his Vanderbilt career. He switched to the offensive unit as a sophomore and started all 12 games at right tackle. That season, he was the only offensive lineman for the Commodores to start every game. Steen moved again in his junior year, starting at left tackle in all nine Vanderbilt games. Following his senior year, Steen moved to the University of Alabama, where he was named to the second team All-SEC and immediately established himself as the starting left tackle. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Steen in the third round this past April, and he is currently positioned behind starting right guard Cam Jurgens.
As he gets ready to succeed at the next level, Steen will get knowledge from what may be the finest offensive line combination in football.
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