Vanderbilt Football: Can Derek Mason and Kyle Shurmur win in 2018?

Defense

Coach Mason is a defensive-minded coach as the former Northern Arizona cornerback made a name for himself as defensive coordinator at Stanford. The Commodores defense ranked 67th per the S&P+ analytics and should improve in 2018. The team’s leading tackler is back as safety Ladarius Wiley returns to lead the back four. Wiley made 88 tackles and intercepted a pass last year.

Inside linebacker Jordan Griffin also returns and he made 62 stops (8.5 tackles for loss) and logged a sack in 2017. Griffin is joined in the 3-4 at linebacker by Charles Wright. Wright plays outside and sacked the quarterback 7.5 times with nine tackles for loss. 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive lineman Dare Odeyingbo led the team in tackles for loss and sacks in 2017. Odeyingbo recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks with a forced fumble as a true havoc player in Nashville.

New faces

Vanderbilt’s defense will have to replace Oren Burks and his 80 tackles (seven tackles for loss). Burks was a converted linebacker and brought power to the position. Safety Ryan White departed as well and took his team-leading two interceptions with him as well as 60 tackles. So who will replace these playmakers? The Vandy recruiting class could have a few names that play right away.

Coach Mason’s staff recruiting in four-star studs in inside linebacker Alston Orji and safety Brendon Harris. Three-star signees who could get early playing time are cornerback Tre Douglas and safety Deshaun Jerkins. The Vandy defense could be even better if they can get the young stars coached up and aligned with the returning veterans.