Non-Vanderbilt Must Read

As someone who grew up in New York, and generally loves sports talk radio, an article in today's New York Times especially appeals to me. But given the passion the readers of this site have about Vanderbilt specifically (and sports generally), I figured I'd bring it to everyone's attention: Corey Kilgannon's Why Short Al, Talkative Fan, Calls No More.

Happy Sunday

Breaking News: George Drake Transferring to UAB

George Drake has decided to transfer to UAB per vucommodores.com. This is pretty unusual for a 5th year senior, but to be honest, it may be best for George. With the addition of John Jenkins, there really aren't that many minutes left for him in our backcourt. Andre Walker returning also adds to the crowd.

However, I said it last year that Drake played big when others didn't, and I appreciated the way he played for us. I'm looking forward to seeing him play next year where he might get some more minutes.

Vandy Gets 12th Commit!!!!!!

Vandy has gotten its 12th public commitment and 2nd from the Pelican State (that's Louisiana supposedly) in CB Karl Butler (the name Karl along w/ the word butler makes me think about Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire but whatever). Anyway Butler is 6'0-6'2 (185). BTW I love how ESPN and Rivals can be so far off on prospects heights/weights. Butler hasn't been ranked by either rivals or ESPN yet but is supposedly a top 20 player in Louisiana and any CB over 6 feet is a solid pick up in my book.

In more interesting news I really suggest everyone take a gander at this blog posting from Jesse Johnson (who is the head recruiting guy at Vandysports.com) http://vandysports615.blogspot.com/

Jesse always seems to be in the know long before anyone else when it comes to recruiting and if he is even close to being right w/ some of this news this could be an extremely exciting next few months for Vanderbilt football. The talent level of this team has seemingly increased every year and I've been waiting for that big break through where we get some big time ESPN Top 150/ 4 Star level recruits and Jesse, in this post, alludes to this very fact. No matter what this gets me pumped up and hopefully some good news gets broken on this front shortly.

In the mean time everyone have a happy and healthy July 4th weekend.

Let the Previews Begin

We'll start with our VSL previews in the weeks to come, but to get the ball rolling, we wanted to let y'all know about some previews that are starting to pop up on the web. ESPN.com's Chris Low Previews the Commodores and thinks this will be a year of "Hope and Concern." According to Chris' analysis, the "hope" comes from the teams "experience, coaching and belief," while the "concern" comes from a lack of offensive firepower. I've got to say that I think this concern is premature. I am confident that with Larry Smith (hopefully) stepping up as QB1, the emergence of UConn transfer Terrance Jeffers, a healthy Jared Hawkins, and an experiences offensive line that this team can move the ball. The biggest thing standing in their way is the offensive play-calling of Ted Cain.

Other previews worth checking out: SECRivals.com and the New York Times' Quad Countdown, which has the Commodores ranked as the 65th best team in the country. While I think Paul Meyerberg is giving Vanderbilt short-shrift, the fact he put Vanderbilt Sports Line on blast will cause us to hold our fire (for now).

What do you think, VSL Nation?

Vanderbilt Recruit Arrested

Justin Cabbagestalk, a 6'3, 265 lbs. offensive lineman from Tampa, Fl was arrested Tuesday night on charges of burglary of an unoccupied dwelling and criminal mischief between $200 and $1,000, according to Bill Ward of Tampa Bay Online. According to the report, Coach Bobby Johnson is aware of the incident, but was no comment at this time. For whatever reason, Vanderbilt recruits from the Tampa area seem to end up in trouble. Last year Jermaine Doster, whose brother Kwane was gunned down during Christmas break after his freshman season, was arrested and subsequently suspended for the entire season by CBJ. Jermaine is now back on the team. Given Vanderbilt's depth on the offensive line, it seems likely that Justin would have been red-shirted anyway, what this incident means for his future with the Commodores remains to be seen.

UPDATE: ESPN.com's Chris Low picked up the story as well

UPDATE: If This Isn't Illegal, It Should Be...

UPDATE: We've added a poll



The 13 year old brother of Tennessee Safety Eric Barry, Evan, as committed to the Volunteers according to the Nashville City Paper. Lane Kiffin's recruiting record at UT has been marred by allegations of (and actual) NCAA violations, maybe this latest episode will spawn the "Kiffin Rule" in college football.

More on this story from Drew Edwards of GoVolsXtra

BREAKING NEWS: Williams Transferring to Memphis

The Associated Press is reporting that Elliot Williams, who was released from his scholarship by Duke on Wednesday, will transfer to Memphis. The Memphis native is transferring to be closer to his mother, who is currently ill.

This news, while not shocking, is disappointing for Commodore fans. Given the reason for his transfer however, Williams' decision is understandable and we at VSL wish him and his family well.

Congratulations, DeMarre Carroll

Even though he didn't end his career as a Commodore, DeMarre has long been a favorite of the VSL staff. Since Vanderbilt didn't have any players in the NBA Draft it wasn't exactly a focal point, which is why I missed that Carroll was selected by the Memphis Grizzles with the 27th pick. Congrats DeMarre, what might have been for the Commies...

Vandy Gets BIG TIME Tight End Commit

Vandy got a big commitment from TE Prospect Davis Dudchock (from Vandysports.com). I'll update the post after I stuff my face w/ some dumplings and Pork Lo Mein...hmmmmmmm!!!!!

COMPLETE STUFFED UPDATE (1:02 pm)

As much as I want to take a post lunch nap my commitment to the 3 people who read this blog is too strong. Ok so Davis Dudchock (another sweet name pick up by the Commie staff btw) is a 6'4 Tight End from Alabama. Vandy beat out offers from Florida State, UT and Stanford (he is also being actively recruited by the likes of Auburn, Florida, LSU, Bama and Clemson). Dudchock hasn't been rated by Rivals yet but is expected to be a high 3-star and is on ESPN's 150 Watch List (meaning he could be a top 150 player) and will prob end up rated in the low 80's or very high 70's.

Everyone seems to agree that this has been one incredible week of football recruiting. Whether you are addicted to recruiting info or could care less, you have to appreciate 1) getting this many highly recruited guys in 1 week and 2) beating out schools like Florida State and UT for a top target.

Whats even crazier is that there is talk that there might be even more commitments on the way shortly. My personal theory is that all these kids met at the BBQ CBJ had last weekend and a bunch of recruits got together and decided they wanted to do this thing together and continue the rebirth of Vandy football. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend. Peace!

Nickson cut from CFL

Mo Patton has the story in today's Tennessean

Williams Transfer News...

Jason Smith has this story in the Memphis Commercial-Appeal saying Duke transferee is considering Memphis, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Williams is expected to make a decision soon.

Tip From VSL Nation: Duke Recruit Transfering to be close to Mom in Memphis

Loyal VSLer Steve sent the following note into the VSL Newsroom:

Just a heads up, Duke point guard Elliot Williams is transferring closer to Memphis to be closer to his mother who is sick, Vandy is close enough to be able to get a waver so he could play next year. He'd start at Memphis right away and there is just no need for anyone to transfer to Ole Miss, but nabbign him could be quite helpful for us next year.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4283176

Thanks Steve. If Vanderbilt is going to make this happen, they'll need to do it soon. I'm not sure where the team is on scholarships right now, and they seem to be in pretty decent shape regarding the point guard position. Still, I'm not 100% convinced that Brad isn't a hybrid 1-2 guard. What do y'all think?

Football previews are coming out soon, which means we can start another year complaining about how underrated we are!

NEW RECRUITS (Update!!!!)

Well I don't feel much better then I did yesterday but thought I should update the new recruit info none the less. Also in the past 24 hours Vandysports.com is reporting another new signee. This one being Logan Stewart a 6'3, 275 lb OG prospect from South Carolina. That brings the total number of public verbal recruits to 9. Here they are with some updated/new info.

1) Kenneth Ladler, Safety/DB - 6'0 (180-187) from Georgia. Ladler is ranked as a 78 by ESPN.com and unranked so far by Rivals.com. 78 is right around the highest rank that our recruits have been the past few years so he looks to be one of the studs of the class when Rivals gets around to evaluating him

2) Grant Ramsey, OT/OL - 6'5, (270-280) from Georgia. Ramsey was one of the first public commits. He is graded as a 77 by ESPN and a 3-star recruit by rivals (#40 overall OL prospect). He also has supposedly gone head to head with the #3 recruit......

3) Kyle Woestmann, DT - 6'3 (260-265) from Georgia. Woestmann didn't put up crazy numbers as a Junior but has supposedly really impressed people in camps and workouts since. ESPN grades him as a 77 and Rivals lists him as a 3-star (#45 overall DT prospect)

4) Andre Hall, CB/DB - 5'11/6 (170) from Louisiana. Hall is ranked on ESPN as a 75 and not ranked by Rivals yet.

5) Logan Stewart, OG/OL - 6'3 (253) from South Carolina. Stewart is listed on ESPN as a 75 but not ranked by Rivals yet.

6) Thomas Ryan, DE - 6'4 (225-240) from Florida. Ryan was the 1st public verbal. He is ranked as a 74 by ESPN and a 3-star recruit on Rivals.

7) Nance Nash, QB - 6'4 /6'3 (200-205) from Georgia. I think Nash will be the only QB recruit this year but who knows. Nash is now ranked by ESPN as a 73 and is a 3-star recruit by Rivals.

8) Chase White, OT/OL - 6'4/6'5 (255-260) from Texas. White is ranked as a 70 on ESPN but no ranking by Rivals yet.

9) Trent Pruitt, WR - 5'10 (175) from Georgia. Pruitt played WR and RB as a junior. He isn't ranked on either Rivals or ESPN yet.

Thoughts: Well I could be wrong but I think we have been recruiting in the state of Georgia this year. Dam 5 of 9 public recruits are from the Peach State. Sure this makes Stanimal happy. Also I like how 5 of the 9 are either offensive or defensive lineman. If your strong there then everything else will come together alot easier. That's about all I've got on this.

UPDATE - Trent Pruitt just was rated by ESPN as a 72.

Also there is ANOTHER commit from Georgia this was being
10) Jonathan Krause, WR - 5'11 (164) - 3 star recruit who hasn't been rated by ESPN.com yet.

72 Hours in Vegas and I Miss 4 New Recruits!!!!

My flight to New York from Vegas got in an hour ago, I slept about 30 mins on the plane but besides that I have been up for about 30 hours straight. So naturally the first thing I do when I get home is to check the Internet for Vanderbilt news (I might have a problem). ANYWAY while I was blowing money on the craps tables at an alarming rate our Commies were building a recruit class. Here is a list of the new signees as reported by both ESPN.com and Vandysports.com (I promise to go more in depth after I get some food and sleep alittle)

1) Andre Hal, DB (6'0, 170)
2) Kenneth Ladler, DB (6'0, 180)
3) Trent Pruitt, WR (5'10, 175)
4) Kyle Woestmann, DT (6'3, 265)......Kyle is the big name of this group supposedly. More to come later.

Studying for the Bar SUCKS!!!!!!

Not much going on in the world of Vanderbilt Sports but I'm pretty bored sitting here studying. Anyway got anything interesting to say? Starting 5 for next years B-Ball team? Who should be the starting QB? Next break out baseball player? Please anything will do.

Here is a couple lines from a Vandy article on Rivals.com about next years team (specifically JJ).

"He very well might be the best shooter in this freshman class," said Jerry Meyer, a national recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. "And he's developed the rest of his game so that he can score at an SEC level. He's not just a shooter. Over the last year, he's really improved his offensive game. He's a smart player, and this system will work for him. Vanderbilt does a lot of creative things to get shooters shots, and I think he'll be a focal point of their offense."

While I'm excited to see what JJ can do, I'm not sure he will be the focus point of the offense quite yet. I still think we are gonna mostly go through AJ and Taylor and hoping that opens JJ for 4-5 trey's a game. I just don't think CKS is gonna hand the reins of the offense to a frosh, even one as super talented as JJ seems to be.

The article goes on to say how our stability (returning everyone from last year), while UK, UF lost significant contributors and are bringing in several young yet talented guys. Not to mention UK will be installing a new offense. Anyway would love to just rant about anything Vanderbilt related right now.