Vanderbilt has laid a solid foundation under head coach Clark Lea. Behind a group of solid returners, the Commodores are looking to build some momentum in 2023.
The Vanderbilt Top 10 Returning Players indicates just how much momentum they’ve built heading into this season.
Vanderbilt Commodores Top 10 Returners
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
1) Will Sheppard, Wide Receiver
There’s nowhere else to start outside of superstar receiver Will Sheppard. Though he would have likely been a mid-round draft pick last season, Sheppard opted to return for his senior season.
Despite inconsistent quarterback play, Sheppard still put up over 700 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. With AJ Swann entering his second year in the program, Shepherd is poised for a huge senior season.
MORE: SEC WR Rankings, 2023
2) CJ Taylor, Anchor
CJ Taylor did a little bit of everything for the Vanderbilt defense last season. Playing in the unique anchor spot, Taylor scored two defensive touchdowns and finished second on the team with 59 tackles.
Taylor plays all over the defense and makes that unit go. He can get after the passer on blitzes and is strong in coverage as well. He’ll need to have a great season for the Commodores to find success on defense.
3) Jaylen Mahoney, Defensive Back
Jaylen Mahoney has been in Nashville for what seems like forever, as he’s earned significant playing time each of his first four years. Now a super-senior, Mahoney is one of the leaders of the defense.
Listed as a safety, Mahoney spends most of his time in the slot, where he allowed just a 68.6 passer rating against last season. He’s another guy with NFL potential on this defense.
4) De’Rickey Wright, Defensive Back
Another talented defensive back, De’Rickey Wright plays mostly as an in-box safety and is strongest against the run. Last season, he missed just 8 tackles all year while finishing fourth in run stops.
Wright complements Mahoney and Taylor well, and he’s one of the bigger safeties in the league. Expect him to bring some impact hits to the game this fall.
5) Xavier Delfin Castillo, Offensive Line
Delfin Castillo was the Commodores’ best offensive lineman last season when he played. A swing lineman last year, he saw action at all three interior spots, allowing just one pressure in six games.
This year, the massive (6’5, 365) lineman is slated to start from Week 0 this season, likely at one of the guard spots.
6) Jayden McGowan, Wide Receiver
Jayden McGowan was a strong number two option last season despite the fact that Vanderbilt struggled to throw the ball. McGowan had a strong year, catching 44 passes as a true freshman.
He’s small in stature, standing just 5’8″, but knows how to get open and is excellent after the catch. He had a few issues with fumbles last year but should be able to clean those up.
7) Christian James, Nose Tackle
Christian James isn’t the biggest nose tackle that we will ever see, but he’s very agile for his size and takes on blocks well. Because of this, he’s never going to have the greatest stats, but he’s incredibly important to the middle of the defense.
The Vanderbilt run defense struggled at times last season, but James and a strong interior defensive line should help the Commodores improve in that category.
8) AJ Swann, Quarterback
AJ Swann struggled when he got into the teeth of the SEC schedule but flashed some serious potential at the quarterback position. This year, there’s no quarterback battle, and it’s Swann’s team from the start.
He’s a pocket passer, but moves well and has the potential to be accurate. He’ll have several weapons to work with on the outside and could end up having a strong year as a sophomore.
9) Kane Patterson, Linebacker
Kane Patterson was a rotational piece last season but still finished fourth on the team with 19 run stops. He was a ball magnet when he was on the field, picking up a tackle every nine plays.
This year, he’ll have the opportunity to play more, and his place should get a bit more consistent. Vanderbilt will need its linebackers to play downhill and limit the run, so other teams are forced to throw into its talented secondary.
10) Tyson Russell, Defensive Back
Russell wasn’t targeted as much as you would expect a boundary corner in the SEC to be picked on. He was decent and covered just a season ago, allowing just one touchdown, but his talent level suggests that he can take it to the next level.
Vanderbilt will likely send the blitz fairly often, leaving its corners on an island. If Russell elevates his game to his full potential, his defense could be one of the better units in the SEC East.
