Dec. 2, 2015
Linebacker Darreon Herring, center Spencer Pulley and punt returner/safety Ryan White have been elected as permanent captains for the 2015 Commodores.
Herring, a three-year starter from Stone Mountain., Ga., represents the defense. Pulley, a versatile starter on the line from Memphis, is the team’s offensive captain. White, a Louisville product who became the primary punt returner and played effectively on coverage units, was voted as special teams’ captain.
Head Coach Derek Mason announced the captains Sunday in front of an audience of more than 200 that included student-athletes, coaches, player parents and staff. The trio were elected by their teammates.
Mason also honored the team’s 17 seniors for their contributions to the program. He said the class, with 25 overall wins and victories in the 2012 Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and 2013 BBVA Compass Bowl, ranked among the most accomplished in modern Vanderbilt history.
As a senior, Herring developed into one of the main leaders on a Commodore defense that ended the season ranked fourth in the SEC in scoring defense and sixth in total defense. Herring finished the season as the Commodores’ second leading tackler with 64 total stops. He also ranked fourth with 34 solo tackles.
Herring ended the 2015 season as Vanderbilt’s active career leader with 123 solo tackles and 226 total tackles, and second on the team with 16 defensed passes.
As a first-year starting center this year, Pulley served as a gameday captain on eight occasions this season. Pulley also earned or shared the team’s top blocking honors in six games, including in the win over Missouri when he was recognized as the Southeastern Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Pulley started on the offensive line for more than three seasons. Prior to his final year, he started at offensive guard. Pulley ended his career with 41 career starts and 37 consecutive starts.
White became the team’s top punt returner early in the campaign, finishing the year averaging 7.5 yards on 20 returns. He also contributed 18 solo tackles among 26 total stops as a safety and coverage unit contributor.
Weatherly recognized by SEC for community service efforts
Linebacker Stephen Weatherly has been named as the team’s representative to the Southeastern Conference Community Service squad.
Weatherly, from Snellville, Ga., was recognized for his assistance with Project Safe and Green Dots, two on-campus organizations that aim to raise awareness and work toward prevention of sexual assault. Weatherly contributes more than 10 hours weekly with the organizations, serving as a vocal campus advocate for women’s rights, prevention of sexual assault/abuse, and prevention of power-based personal violence.
