Head coach Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores are really in a tough position in modern-day college football.
In an era where teams build through the portal, Vanderbilt’s tough admissions standards render that method of talent acquisition nearly impossible. So, the Commodores have to recruit their type of player directly out of high school and then keep them for the duration of their college career.
While the former has always been difficult, the Commodores really struggled to do the latter this offseason, losing several key starters from last year’s team. Still, there are some talented players in Nashville.
Who are the Vanderbilt Commodores’ top returning players in 2024?
Vanderbilt Commodores Top Returning Players
10) Aeneas DiCosmo, EDGE
Vanderbilt often struggles to get transfers, but it has found success in targeting high-academic graduate transfers. Aeneas DiCosmo started as a junior at Stanford and senior at Vanderbilt and he has one more year to continue to become a more complete edge rusher.
He’s flashed as a pass rusher, but if he becomes more consistent, DiCosmo can be a real force.
9) Dariyan Wiley, WR
The quarterback play at Louisiana Monroe was inconsistent at best last year, but Dariyan Wiley still flashed his potential, catching 25 passes for 400 yards. He wasn’t much of a touchdown threat, but he caught five of 11 contested targets and his quarterbacks have never thrown an interception when targeting him over the last four years.
8) Quincy Skinner Jr., WR
Quincy Skinner would have probably had better numbers last year if not for an injury that kept him out of a few games in the middle of the season. When he came back down the stretch, he was solid, despite shaky quarterback play, catching seven passes and two touchdowns in the final two games.
Skinner is a big-bodied target who should get some jump-ball opportunities this season.
7) Junior Sherrill, WR
As a freshman last year, Junior Sherrill thrived as a tertiary option, but he’s probably going to be the top receiver this year.
Sherrill caught 21 passes and three touchdowns last year, all while hauling in every catchable target thrown his way. He has a chance to make some noise as a sophomore.
6) Sedrick Alexander, RB
Sedrick Alexander didn’t get much help last season but flashed the potential to be a home run hitter at running back. He needs to get more consistent at taking what’s in front of him, but he has the potential to be a full-time starter who gets 15-20 carries a game.
5) Eli Stowers, TE
Eli Stowers was one of several New Mexico State transfers to follow Jerry Kill to Nashville, and he put up some great numbers for a tight end last year. He caught 36 passes and flashed as a run blocker as well.
A two-time transfer, I think Stowers fits well at Vanderbilt and could be one of the SEC’s best tight ends in 2024.
4) De’Rickey Wright, S
De’Rickey Wright is one of the two main returners in the secondary and was really solid last season as a free safety.
Wright got better and better in pass coverage as the year went on, and this year, as a senior, he is expecting to have a big year to help an inexperienced secondary.
3) Langston Patterson, LB
The leading tackler last season for Vanderbilt, Langston Patterson returns as a junior looking to improve on last year’s numbers.
Patterson was excellent against the run, racking up 33 run stops. He’ll look to improve in pass coverage and lead an experienced but relatively ineffective linebacking corps in 2024.
2) Diego Pavia, QB
If this were a ranking of the most fun players in the country, Diego Pavia might just take the top spot. He’s fearless and will throw his body around like crazy, diving for first downs and slinging it deep on third and short.
Pavia is going to have some growing pains in the SEC, but he should make some highlight reel plays along the way.
1) CJ Taylor, Athlete
CJ Taylor is the guy for Vanderbilt’s defense. Listed as a safety on the team’s roster, Taylor lined up everywhere for the Commodores in 2023, and when he missed a few games with injury, the defense wasn’t the same.
While several of the other standouts in the secondary are no longer there, Taylor remains, returning as the second-leading tackler. He also led the team in interceptions and forced fumbles and was second in sacks.
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