Vanderbilt Commodores Roster 2019 Commodores Roster

Head Coach: Derek Mason        2017 Salary: $1,721,834        Offensive Coordinator: Andy Ludwig       Defensive Coordinator: Jason Tarver         

Stadium: Vanderbilt Stadium       Surface: Turf        City: Nashville        State: Tennessee

The Vanderbilt Commodores appeared to be entering the team’s SEC schedule last season with a head full of steam. The defense was a shutdown unit during its non-conference schedule and the Commodores appeared to be headed towards great things. Then, the wheels fell off during SEC play and the Commodores won only one conference game.

Success is relative for Vanderbilt playing in the hypercompetitive SEC. The Commodores will never compete at the top of the conference, although they made some noise during a two-year boomlet under James Franklin earlier in the decade. Still, there is room for Vanderbilt to make the postseason, provided there is improvement on the defensive side of the ball. Save for a matchup against Notre Dame, Vanderbilt has a manageable nonconference schedule that could help narrow the gap between the Commodores and a bowl bid.

The offense should be better this season under coach Derek Mason. Quarterback Kyle Shurmur returns and he has his favorite target Kalija Lipscomb back as well. Plus, there are several transfers to boost the offense.

The defense struggled as last season progressed and will have to make some improvements this season if Vanderbilt hopes to return to a bowl game. Vanderbilt has brought in some good recruits in the secondary to shore up the pass defense. That unit will be young with some upside. Jason Tarver comes in as the coordinator to strengthen the defense. He has a good track record and hopes to breathe life into the unit.