July 28, 2016
Four starters and 10 letterwinners from a year ago highlight a Commodores’ talented linebacker corps.
The unit, headlined by the return of All-SEC performers Zach Cunningham (R-Jr.) and Nigel Bowden (R-Jr.), was a key factor helping the Commodore defense rank among the nation’s most improved last year.
This year, the corps will be mentored by a pair of new position coaches, Osia Lewis and Chris Marve. Lewis, hired by Derek Mason as a senior defensive assistant, will coach outside linebackers in Vanderbilt’s 3-4 base scheme. Marve, a former Commodore standout, will coach inside linebackers.
Potentially, the inside duo of Cunningham and Bowden ranks among the Southeastern Conference’s elite, bringing a combination of experience and production to the Commodore defense.
Cunningham has been named to several preseason All-America teams and is a candidate for the Butkus, Nagurski and Bednarik awards. He is coming off a sensational season, having earned third team All-America and unanimous first team All-SEC honors as a sophomore after posting remarkable stats – 103 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Cunningham also should benefit from the return of Bowden. A 2014 SEC All-Freshman player and physical presence in the middle of Vanderbilt’s defense, Bowden is back after missing nearly all of last year with injury.
Ja’karri Thomas, with 59 career tackles entering his final season, provides experienced, quality inside depth.
The coaches are eager to see the progress of a group of promising young inside linebackers, including sophomores Josh Smith, Jordan Griffin and Jay Hockaday.
At outside linebacker, Lewis has Landon Stokes (Jr.) back after starting the last five games a year ago. Stokes improved significantly during the course of the 2015 season, contributing 24 stops and three tackles for loss.
Charles Wright (R-So.) was one of the top defensive performers in spring drills, showing speed and explosiveness as a edge rusher.
Caleb Peart (R-Fr.) also impressed the staff during Spring Ball with his continued development.
The unit was strengthened during Spring Ball when Oren Burks (R-Jr.) moved to the hybrid ‘Star’ position. The physical former safety, who contributed a team-high three interceptions last year, brings tremendous versatility to the field.
The Commodores also added two linebacker prospects in the 2016 signing class: Kenny Hebert and Andre Mintze.
Get your Vanderbilt season tickets now
The Commodores open their regular season Thursday, Sept. 1, hosting SEC East opponent South Carolina in Vanderbilt Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT.
Besides South Carolina, Vanderbilt will host Middle Tennessee on Sept. 10, Florida on Oct. 1, Tennessee State for homecoming on Oct. 22, Ole Miss on Nov. 19, and Tennessee on Nov. 26.
Season tickets remain available, starting at $135 for end-zone locations and only $250 for premium sideline seats in Vanderbilt Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online or via the phone at (615) 322-GOLD (4653). The Vanderbilt Ticket Office also is open during regular hours on weekends in McGugin Athletics Center, 2601 Jess Neely Drive in Nashville.
