April 30, 2016
Highlights | 
Weatherly Through the Years | 
Weatherly Bio
CHICAGO — Vanderbilt defensive standout Stephen Weatherly was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the seventh round of the NFL Draft today.
Weatherly, who registered 10.5 quarterback sacks and 25 tackles for loss during a three-year career, becomes the first Commodore draft selection since 2014 when wide receiver Jordan Matthews, offensive lineman Wesley Johnson and cornerback Andre Hal were picked.
Weatherly becomes the first Commodore selected by Minnesota since defensive lineman James Manley was selected in the second round of the 1996 draft.
Seven more Commodore standouts — defensive end Caleb Azubike, linebacker Darreon Herring, offensive linemen Jake Bernstein and Spencer Pulley, tight end Steven Scheu and safety Andrew Williamson — hope to hear their names announced in the final round or ink a rookie free agent deal after the draft closes.
The versatile Weatherly, from Snellville, Ga., played both defensive end and outside linebacker for the Commodores. After contributing as a defensive end in 2013, Weatherly blossomed as a rush linebacker in Derek Mason’s 3-4 scheme.
At 6-5 and 265, Weatherly could play either position at the next level. He impressed NFL personnel at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, ranking among the top position performers in the 40-yard dash and repetition bench press.
As a senior, Weatherly started all 12 games, topping the Commodores with nine quarterback hurries. He ranked second with 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, and contributed 29 solo tackles among 46 total tackles. Weatherly put together a strong campaign in 2014 as a first-time starter at linebacker, setting career highs with 4.5 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss, 30 solo tackles and 55 total tackles.
Weatherly’s performance against Tennessee to conclude the 2014 season ranks among the best ever by a Commodore defender.
During the effort, Weatherly established a new team record with five tackles for loss. Weatherly is the first Vanderbilt linebacker selected in the draft since Jonathan Goff was taken in the fifth round of the 2008 draft.
| Vanderbilt Draft Picks Since 1996 | |||
| Year | Player | NFL Team | Draft Selection |
| 2016 | Stephen Weatherly, LB | Minnesota |
6th pick, 7th Round2014 Jordan Matthews, WR Philadelphia 42nd Overall, 2nd Round Wesley Johnson, OL Pittsburgh 33rd pick, 5th Round Andre Hal, DB Houston 1st pick, 7th Round2013 Zac Stacy, RB St. Louis 27th pick, 5th Round Ryan Seymour, OL Seattle 14th pick, 7th Round2012 Casey Hayward, DB Green Bay 30th pick, 2nd Round Tim Fugger, DE Indianapolis 7th pick, 7th Round2010 Myron Lewis, DB Tampa Bay 3rd pick, 3rd Round Thomas Welch, OL New England 1st pick, 7th Round2009 D.J. Moore, DB Chicago 19th pick, 4th Round2008 Chris Williams, OL Chicago 14th pick, 1st Round Earl Bennett, WR Chicago 7th pick, 3rd Round Jonathan Goff, LB N.Y. Giants 30th pick, 5th Round2006 Jay Cutler, QB Denver 11th pick, 1st Round2005 Jovan Haye, DL Carolina 15th pick, 6th Round Justin Geisinger, OL Buffalo 23rd pick, 6th Round2003 Hunter Hillenmeyer, LB Green Bay 31st pick, 5th Round2001 Jamie Winborn, LB San Francisco 16th pick, 2nd Round Matt Stewart, LB Atlanta 7th pick, 4th Round John Markham, PK N.Y. Giants 29th pick, 5th Round Jimmy Williams, DB Buffalo 33rd pick, 6th Round1999 Fred Vinson, DB Green Bay 16th pick, 2nd Round1998 Corey Chavous, DB Arizona 3rd pick, 2nd Round Jamie Duncan, LB Tampa Bay 23rd pick, 3rd Round Anthony Jordan Indianapolis 12th pick, 5th Round1996 James Manley, DT Minnesota 15th pick, 2nd Round
