July 26, 2017
The Commodore defensive line corps features four proven veterans and a bevy of promising newcomers ready to move into more important roles.
Second-year defensive line coach C.J. Ah You welcomes a unit highlighted by Nifae Lealao (Sr.), Jay Woods (Sr.), Jonathan Wynn (Sr.) and Dare Odeyingbo (Jr.). All four upperclassmen have started in the trenches over the last two years.
Lealao is developing into one of the Southeastern Conference’s top defensive tackles. He brings a combination of size, strength and agility that has eluded Vanderbilt’s previous interior line personnel.
Lealao is also coming off his best year. While clogging the middle of Vanderbilt’s defense, he registered 22 tackles, including 2.5 quarterback sacks, and frequently applied pressure in the opponent’s backfield.
Ah You expects a healthy Woods to have a strong campaign and offset the graduation of Adam Butler, a current member of the New England Patriots. Woods was limited last year but has renewed confidence and drive entering his fifth year in the program. As a sophomore in 2015, Woods was one of the team’s most productive linemen, registering 24 tackles while earning five starting assignments.
The staff will look for greater production and more pressure on quarterbacks from the end position where Wynn and Odeyingbo are the top returnees. Both are coming off their best seasons in Black and Gold: Wynn contributing a pair of quarterback sacks among 28 tackles and Odeyingbo registering four tackles for loss among 21 stops.
Redshirt freshmen Josiah Sa’o, Cameron Tidd and Drew Birchmeier all showed development during spring drills and could push for playing time during camp.
The Commodores also added four defensive line prospects in the 2017 signing class: Jonah Buchanan, Stone Edwards, Dayo Odeyingbo and Jalen Pinkney.