May 22, 2014
With rookie minicamps coming to an end, and OTAs picking up, NFL teams are beginning to solidify their rosters with training camp nearing. NFL teams are allowed to carry as many as 90 players on their roster during the offseason, and the Commodores are well represented throughout the league.
There are currently 19 Commodores on NFL rosters, with Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler having the most experience in the league as he begins his ninth NFL season.
In total, 15 of the 32 NFL teams have at least one Vanderbilt player on their roster. Four teams have two former Commodores on their roster. Safety Kenny Ladler and offensive lineman Chris Williams are with the Buffalo Bills, wide receivers Earl Bennett and Jonathan Krause are with the Browns, cornerback Casey Hayward and safety Sean Richardson are on the Green Bay Packers and wide receiver Jordan Matthews in place kicker Carey Spear are in Philadelphia.
Vanderbilt had three players selected in the 2014 NFL Draft and five others signed as undrafted free agents.
Three former Commodores are also continuing their football careers in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Defensive tackle Rob Lohr is with the BC Lions, cornerback Myron Lewis and linebacker Eric Samuels are with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Photo Credit: Troy Taormina, USA Today Sports
Commodores in the NFL
Player PositionNFL TeamEarl Bennett WR ClevelandBrandon Barden TE JacksonvilleSteven Clarke CB MiamiJay Cutler QB ChicagoTim Fugger LB N.Y. JetsAndre Hal CB HoustonCasey Hayward CB Green BayWesley Johnson OL PittsburghJonathan Krause WR ClevelandKenny Ladler S BuffaloJordan Matthews WR PhiladelphiaWalker May LB AtlantaD.J. Moore CB Tampa BaySean Richardson S Green BayRyan Seymour OL San FranciscoCarey Spear PK PhiladelphiaZac Stacy RB St. LouisThomas Welch OL New OrleansChris Williams OL Buffalo
