NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With the National Football League’s regular season coming to a close Sunday, seven former Commodores now turn their attention to the chase to win the Super Bowl.
Here’s a look all the former Vanderbilt standouts actively pursuing a championship starting this weekend:
Oren Burks and Jordan Matthews
A duo of Dores will be looking to help the NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers reach the Super Bowl on Feb. 12 in Arizona.
Linebacker Oren Burks has played in 12 games this season for the 49ers. He’s been credited with 34 tackles — one for a loss — and made 1/2 a sack.
In a win over the Los Angeles Rams in October, Burks played all 58 defensive snaps for San Francisco.
Jordan Matthews, a tight end, is on injured reserve and last played for San Francisco in October of 2021.
San Francisco hosts Seattle at 3:30 p.m. CT Saturday.
Allan George
Allan George helped the Cincinnati Bengals to an AFC North title this season.
The cornerback played in three games this season and has recorded two solo tackles.
Cincinnati hosts Baltimore at 7:15 p.m. CT Sunday.
Tre Herndon
Cornerback Tre Herndon helped Jacksonville win an AFC South title this season.
Herndon played in 15 games (making one start) and finished the campaign with 36 tackles (two for a loss) and defended five passes. He also forced and recovered a fumble.
The Jaguars host the Chargers at 7:15 p.m. CT Saturday.
Trent Sherfield
Trent Sherfield and the Miami Dolphins enter the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the AFC.
A receiver, Sheffield has 30 receptions for 417 yards in 16 games. He caught a touchdown pass in a November win over Cleveland and another in a December loss at San Francisco.
Sherfield has also made three tackles as a special teams contributor.
Miami travels to Buffalo at noon CT Sunday.
Justin Skule and Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Justin Skule and Ke’Shawn Vaughn were part of an NFC South champion Buccaneers squad that enters the playoffs as a No. 4 seed.
Vaughn, a running back, has appeared in 14 games for Tampa Bay and has totaled 27 rushing yards on nine carries and made one reception for 11 yards.
An offensive lineman, Skule has not appeared in an NFL game since January of 2020 and has been with Tampa Bay since September.
Tampa Bay hosts Dallas at 7:15 p.m. CT Monday.
— Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com.
Follow him @MrChadBishop.
