#57 Drew Birchmeier Season 2020-21

Student-Athlete Features
VUCommodores.com – Senior Spotlight
VUCommodores.com — Anchoring Down
The Hustler — Birchmeier ready for his new role in the offense

As a Fifth-Year Senior (2020)
• During fall camp, made the transition from defensive line to offensive line
• For the season finale against Tennessee, shifted back to the defensive line
• Played in seven games and started five, all at right guard
• Missed contests at Mississippi State and Kentucky
• Started against No. 10/11 Texas A&M, No. 20/17 LSU, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Missouri
• Finished with three tackles, all against the Volunteers
• Part of an offensive line that provided pass protection for the Commodores to rank 31st nationally in completion percentage (63.8)
• Worked with an offense that increased its total offensive yards per game, passing yards per game, passing yards per completion, passing yards per attempt and third-down conversion percentage from 2019 to 2020
• Provided pass protection for Ken Seals, who set the Vanderbilt freshman record with 1,928 passing yards
• Blocked for a trio of Seals’ 300-yard passing games, the third most in a Commodore career

As a Senior (2019)
• Started all 12 games at defensive tackle
• 21 tackles (7 solo), including 1.0 tackle for loss
• Multiple stops in seven games
• Season-high four tackles at Ole Miss
• Tackle for loss came in win versus No. 21 Missouri

As a Junior (2018)
• SEC Academic Honor Roll
• 13 games played
• 12 starts
• 31 tackles (14 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, four pass deflections and pair of forced fumbles
• Career-high six tackles (one for loss) at Kentucky
• Multiple tackles in 10 of 12 games
• Three tackles and forced fumble against Florida
• Three tackles vs. Georgia
• Two tackles in win over Tennessee
• Two tackles (one for loss) vs. Baylor (Texas Bowl)

As a Sophomore (2017)
• SEC Academic Honor Roll
• Six games played
• Missed opening month of season with injury
• First collegiate start at South Carolina

As a Freshman (2016)
• Did not see action

The Birchmeier File
• Prepped at Cosby (Va.)
• Consensus three-star prospect
• Varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball
• Moved from tight end to offensive line as a senior
• Led team from 0-3 start to eight-win season and 6A state quarterfinals
• 2015 all-state
• 2015 team offensive player of the year
• 2015 all-metro
• 2015 Virginia Prep All-Star Game
• 2014 all-state
• Honors student
• Youth Services Citizens Board
• Born in Michigan
• Full name is Andrew John Birchmeier
• Son of Mark and Lauren Birchmeier
• Father played collegiately at Michigan State
• Younger sister, Abigail, and younger brother, Aaron
• Pursuing a graduate degree in marketing

Career Highs
Total Tackles: 6, at Kentucky, 10/20/2018
Solo Tackles: 3, vs. Florida, 10/13/2018
Forced Fumbles: 1 (2x) last vs. Florida, 10/13/2018
Tackles for Loss: 1.0 (2x) last at Missouri 11/10/2018