#5 LaDarius Wiley

HONORS
2018 Third Team Preseason All-SEC Defense (coaches poll)
Bednarik National Defensive Player of the Week (vs. Kansas State, 9/16/2017)

2018
Wiley started every game at safety, providing leadership and excellent play in the Commodore defensive secondary… Wiley ended the season with 32 career starts, most of any active Vanderbilt defensive back… Finished the regular season with 44 solo tackles, 83 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups… Ranked among Southeastern Conference leaders with four forced fumbles… Departed the program as the Commodores’ active career leader with 157 unassisted tackles, 255 total tackles and seven forced fumbles… Registered at least four tackles in 12 of 13 games… Posted double-digit tackles against Notre Dame, South Carolina, Florida and Kentucky… Season high in solo tackles (7) and total tackles (11) came against Kentucky… Added five tackles against Baylor in Texas Bowl … An Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar.

2017
Wiley enjoyed his finest season as a Commodore, ranking among team and SEC leaders in two defensive categories… Earned starting assignments at safety in all 12 games… Finished the year with a team-leading 88 total tackles and 58 solo tackles… Also contributed a tackle for loss, an interception and forced fumble, and five defensed passes… Solo tackle total tanked No. 6 in the SEC… Produced the most tackles by a Commodore defensive back since Kenny Ladler’s 90-tackle total in 2013… Remarkably consistent through the season, registering at least four tackles in 11 of 12 games… Posted double-digit tackle totals against four opponents, topped by 14-tackle effort against Alabama… Earned Bednarik Award National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his stellar performance in win over nationally ranked Kansas State – 11 tackles, a game-sealing interception and two defensed passes… Notched season high with nine solo tackles at Ole Miss… Also contributed 11 stops at Florida… Had seven tackles and a forced fumble against Kentucky.

2016
Wiley was a seven-game starter at safety who played in all 13 contests, Wiley became one of the Commodores’ most productive defenders… Concluded the season second to linebacker Zach Cunningham with 50 solo tackles and 76 total tackles… Also contributed 2.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four defensed passes… Registered at least three tackles in 12 games, topped by a 10-tackle performance at Florida… Had a tackle for loss and seven stops in Vanderbilt’s win at Georgia, and seven solo tackles in the finale against Tennessee… Contributed forced fumbles against Tennessee State and Auburn, and recoveries versus Middle Tennessee and Missouri.

2015
Wiley participated in every game as a two-year player, contributing at cornerback, nickel back and on coverage units… Concluded the season with eight total tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery… Set career best with three solo tackles at Florida… Registered first fumble recovery in win over Missouri.

2014
Wiley saw limited action during an early-season games, but was forced to sidelines for much of the season by injury… Played limited snaps in defensive secondary against Ole Miss prior to being sidelined… Do not register any defensive stats during playing time.

HIGH SCHOOL
Multi-year captain for Los Angeles private school… Two-way starter at CB and WR… As senior CB, posted 35 tackles, five interceptions and 18 passes defended for Phantoms’ squad that finished 6-5… Also produced seven TDs and 503 yards as WR… As junior, helped Cathedral to Division IV state playoffs and 10-3 mark by contributing 38 tackles, two interceptions and five forced fumbles on defense… Also registered 13 TDs on 45 receptions as an WR… Earned team’s co-Offensive MVP as junior… Also lettered in track & field and basketball.

PERSONAL
LaDarius R. Wiley… Born on June 3, 1996… Son of Sue Markham Wiley and the late Lincoln Wiley Jr… Has five brothers: Larry, Lincoln, London, Logan and LaVario… Mom works for U.S. Postal Service… Worked summers as counselor at local Boys & Girls Club… Video game enthusiast… Wiley completed an undergraduate degree in medicine, health & society this summer, and has begun postgraduate work toward a Master’s of Education from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College.

CAREER HIGHS
Total Tackles: 14, vs. Alabama, 9/23/2017
Solo Tackles: 9, at Ole Miss, 10/14/2017
Interceptions: 1, vs. Kansas State, 9/16/2017
Forced Fumbles: 2, at Missouri, 11/10/2018
Passes Defended: 2, vs. Kansas State, 9/16/2017