May 1, 2016
Azubike Bio | Bernstein Bio | Herring Bio
Pulley Bio | Scheu Bio | Williamson Bio
Six former Vanderbilt standouts will continue to chase their dream of playing pro football after signing undrafted free agent contracts with NFL teams in the last 24 hours.
According to multiple reports, the 2015 seniors agreeing to free agent deals are defensive end Caleb Azubike (Dallas), offensive lineman Jake Bernstein (Kansas City), linebacker Darreon Herring (Los Angeles), offensive lineman Spencer Pulley (San Diego), tight end Steven Scheu (New England) and safety Andrew Williamson (Indianapolis).
The six free agent signings come after Vanderbilt defensive end-outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly was picked by Minnesota in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Weatherly and his six former Commodore teammates could start their NFL pursuit soon. Most of the league’s 32 teams open rookie mini-camps in the next week.
Azubike, a product of McGavock H.S., in Nashville, earned 14 starts in 44 appearances. He finished his career as the team’s active co-leader with 15 quarterback sacks and topped all Commodores with 26 tackles for loss. He posted 71 solo tackles among 120 total stops in his career.
As a senior, Azubike contributed 29 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 quarterback sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in nine appearances.
Bernstein, from Crystal Lake South H.S. outside of Chicago, was one of the Commodores’ most durable players. He started 41 games offensive guard, playing nearly every meaningful snap since the start of his sophomore season.
Bernstein was credited with 63 pancake blocks as a senior, helping pave the way for sophomore Ralph Webb to rush for 1,152 yards, the second highest total in team history.
Herring, from Stone Mountain H.S. east of Atlanta, was a captain and top performer for one of the nation’s most improved defenses in 2015. Herring started every game as a senior inside linebacker and enjoyed his finest season, registering 64 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
As a 36-game career starter, Herring finished as the Commodores’ active leader with 123 solo tackles and 226 total tackles. He also added two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 16 defensed passes.
Pulley, from Evangelical Christian H.S. near Memphis, was a versatile contributor and leader on the Vanderbilt offensive line since he became a starter as a redshirt freshman. Pulley started two full seasons opposite Bernstein at guard, and moved to center as a senior where he was voted the unit’s postseason captain.
Like Bernstein, Pulley was durable, posting 41 career starts, including starting assignments in his final 37 appearances. As a senior, Pulley registered 37 pancake blocks and opened holes helping Webb to his sensational rushing campaign.
Scheu, a product of Reitz Memorial H.S. in Evansville, Ind., ended his career as the team’s active leader with 82 receptions, 924 rushing yards and seven touchdown catches in 35 career starts.
Scheu played 11 games as a senior, just months after suffering a serious lower leg injury in spring drills. Coming off an All-Southeastern Conference campaign as a junior (39 catches, 525 yards, four TDs), Scheu posted 26 receptions in 2015.
Williamson, from John Paul Stevens H.S. in San Antonio, played through injuries as a senior to contribute 28 solo tackles, 41 total tackles, a forced fumble and four defensed passes.
As a two-year starter at safety, Williamson finished his career with 85 solo tackles, 134 total stops, two interceptions and 10 defensed passes.
