Jordan Matthews (87) is one of top WRs in the country as he enters his senior season. (Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)
With the 2012 football season recruiting period over, it is time to run down just where the teams in the Southeastern Conference are in preparing for the 2013 season.
Here is a thumbnail look at the Vanderbilt Commodores.
2012 REVIEW: The 2012 season was a banner year for Vanderbilt. The Commodores posted a 9-4 record, which included a 38-24 win over NC State in the Music City Bowl. It was the first time in school history the Commodores went to back-to-back bowl games. They ended the season with a seven-game winning streak, which will be the longest in the Southeastern Conference at the start of the 2013 season.
It was a season that saw Jordan Rodgers emerge as a top-flight SEC quarterback and Jordan Matthews as his favorite receiver. Zac Stacy became Vanderbilt’s all-time career rushing leader and the defense grew better as the season progress. Safeties Kenny Ladler and Javon Marshall were the top tacklers.
The Commodores were 4-0 in November, beatingKentucky, Ole Miss,TennesseeandWakeForestby a combined 163-65 margin. It was the first time since 1982 that Vanderbilt enjoyed an undefeated November.
The nine-win season was only the third time Vanderbilt had ever reached that figure and it was the first time since 1915.
SENIOR STARTERS LOST: Quarterback Jordan Rodgers, running back Zac Stacy, offensive tackle Ryan Seymour, defensive end Johnell Thomas, defensive tackle Rob Lohr, nose tackle Colt Nichter, offensive linebacker Archibald Barnes, cornerback Trey Wilson, punter Richard Kent
KEY JUNIORS WHO DECLARED FOR NFL DRAFT: None
RECRUITING NEEDS: Due to Vanderbilt’s graduation losses on offense, playmakers became a top priority. The Commodores also focused on the defensive backfield and the defensive line.
COMMITMENTS: Coming off a nine-win season, it showed up in the recruiting race.
Rivals.com rated Vanderbilt’s 26 signees as the 19th best class in the nation, which still left the Commodores with just the ninth-best class in the SEC. The Commodores addressed the defensive situation by adding Zach Cunningham, a 6-4, 205-pound rangy linebacker from Pinson, AL., among the 12 defensive signees.
Offensively, Vanderbilt signed quarterback Johnathon McCrary, wide receiver Jordan Cunningham and tight end Mitchell Parsons.
MaxPreps listed Vanderbilt as the 17th-best class nationwide. Scout.com has Vanderbilt’s class at No. 19 in the nation.
COACH SPEAK: James Franklin: “These guys are going to make a tremendous impact for years to come and be representingVanderbiltUniversity and this football program. This is a great foundation. You made a statement about what could happen here. We really heard about the things that couldn’t be done, from when we stepped onto campus or can’t be done. All the negativity that surrounded the program and we just put our earmuffs on and kept bombarding these guys with the same positive messages.”
