Ad Disclosure
Vanderbilt wrapped up the 2015 season with a 4-8 record, including a 2-6 mark in SEC games. There’s reason for optimism for next season, as the Commodores will return 15 players who started the season finale — and two more players with starting experience, OT Justin Skule and LB Nigel Bowden, returning from injury.
With a friendly schedule and plenty of experience returning, Vanderbilt will take aim at a possible bowl berth. Here are the five players who will play a key role in whatever success the Commodores have in 2016:
5. Trent Sherfield, WR — The Danville, Ill., native caught only one pass as a freshman, but stepped up to become the team’s leading receiver in 2015. He hauled in 51 passes for 659 yards and three touchdowns despite erratic quarterback play, and seems poised for a strong junior season.
4. Nigel Bowden, LB — The talented linebacker played in only two games in 2015 before missing the rest of the campaign with a concussion. He’s expected to return to full health in time for the 2016 season, and will be counted on to help fill the void at linebacker left by Stephen Weatherly’s early exit for the NFL. In 2014, he led the team with 78 tackles en route to making the SEC’s All-Freshman team.
3. Oren Burks, FS — Another player who made a leap between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Burks was third on the team with 59 tackles and led with three interceptions — one of which he returned for a touchdown.
2. Zach Cunningham, LB — After finishing second in tackles in 2014 to Bowden, Cunningham stepped up in his absence. He led the team with 103 tackles and 4.5 sacks, and also tied for fourth in the league with 16.5 tackles for loss. The prospect of Cunningham and Bowden back on the field together is exciting.
1. Ralph Webb, RB — It doesn’t matter how the passing game is going, Webb just churns out yardage. He backed up a strong freshman season with a better sophomore performance, rushing for 1,152 yards and five scores. He is already eighth on the school’s all-time rushing list, and can vault to the top in 2016 with 1,080 yards. Barring injury, that seems like a good bet.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
