Vanderbilt Football

The Vanderbilt Commodores enter the 2013 football season looking to extend the SEC's longest active winning streak.

In 2012, Vanderbilt won nine games for the first time since 1915. Its nine-win season also included its longest win streak (seven) since 1949. Perhaps its most impressive win was its 41-18 victory over its in-state rival, Tennessee.

The Commodores completed the 2012 season in style with an impressive 38-24 victory over the North Carolina State Wolfpack and a 9-4 overall record.

While there is no doubting that Vanderbilt is headed in the right direction, the Commodores will need to post their second consecutive winning season to prove they are legit.

Are the Commodores primed to become an annual roadblock for any team on their schedule, or have the past two seasons been a flash in the pan?

Offense

Vanderbilt has never been known as an offensive juggernaut. However, last season the Commodores averaged 30.0 points per game.

It was their highest team average since the 1940s, and while reviews are mixed about former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rogers, he did finish his career with an 11-8 record.

In comparison to the overall record of the quarterbacks who preceded him, he is the Tom Brady of Nashville.

Hopes are high, however, for his replacement, Austyn Carta-Samuels. While the senior quarterback has only attempted 25 passes in the SEC, he has thrown for over 3,800 yards in his career.

Carta-Samuels started his career with the Wyoming Cowboys, leading them to a bowl win and being named Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year.

Carta-Samuels passed for 1,953 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions his freshman season and 1,702 yards, nine touchdown passes and eight interceptions his sophomore season before transferring to Vanderbilt.

Carta-Samuels will benefit greatly from having the SEC's most productive wide receiver in 2012 back for another season. Senior wide receiver Jordan Matthews led all SEC receivers with 94 receptions for 1,321 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Commodores did suffer a major blow to their passing game with the recent suspension of standout wide receiver Chris Boyd, who caught 50 passes for 774 yards and five touchdowns.

While the Commodores might be able to replace Boyd's statistics, replacing his clutch play will be more difficult. Boyd has a knack for making big plays at the most crucial moments—like his game-winning touchdown against Ole Miss last season.

Instead of replacing Boyd on this week's depth chart, the Commodores have dropped the third wide receiver spot and added fullback Fitz Lassing in his place.

The Commodores should be a more physical team this season with more fullback sets and an offensive line that looks ready to take the next step.

Coach Franklin will need to replace both the left and right guards from last season. However, the Commodores do have five linemen who have made four or more starts and three linemen with nine or more.

The most recognizable name on the offensive line is senior left tackle Wesley Johnson. Despite starting 38 games in his career, Johnson has never been called for a single holding penalty and has only given up 6.5 sacks on 1,021 career pass attempts.

Outside of quarterback, the only major question mark on the offensive side of the football for the Commodores is their ability to replace departed NFL running back Zac Stacy without a major drop-off.

The burden of this task will be primarily carried by sophomore running back Brian Kimbrow and senior running back Wesley Tate.

Kimbrow was one of the top recruits in Vanderbilt history, and in his first season for the Commodores, he did not disappoint. Kimbrow rushed for 413 yards on just 66 carries (6.3 yards per carry) and also returned 22 kicks for 486 yards.

Kimbrow is one of the fastest players in the SEC and has the athleticism and quickness to turn any carry into a touchdown. However, for Kimbrow to be fully effective, he will need a partner-in-crime.

He is not the biggest back at 5'8" and 185 pounds and could wear down as the season goes forward if he is required to take the bulk of the carries for the Commodores.

This is where senior running back Wesley Tate comes into the picture. He is not the home run threat that Kimbrow is, but he does have the size (6'1" and 225 pounds) to take the pressure off of Kimbrow.

Tate has carried the ball 150 times for a modest 542 yards (3.61 YPC) over his three seasons at Vanderbilt. However, his size makes him a talented blocker and a more physical presence. He also has very good hands, which is crucial in Coach Franklin's offense.

Defense

The Commodores defense has ranked in the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons, which is somewhat surprising because Franklin arrived at Vanderbilt with a reputation as an offensively minded coach.

However, he brought in defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, who had flown under the radar because he had been coaching at William & Mary.

The Yale graduate has proven to be a home run hire for Franklin, and the 2013 Commodores defense could be better than either of the past two seasons.

The Commodores return seven starters on the defensive side of the football and six of the team's top seven tacklers from 2012.

The defensive line should be solid in 2013 with the return of senior defensive end Walker May and defensive tackles Barron Dixon and Vince Taylor.

However, Kyle Woestmann could be the MVP of this defense by the end of the season. Woestmann recorded six sacks in his final seven games of the season.

The Commodores also return five of their back seven on defense, including All-SEC cornerback Andre Hal. A great deal of credit for the Commodores ending the season on a seven-game winning streak should be extended to Vanderbilt's linebacker unit, which improved dramatically as the season progressed.

Special Teams

In 2011, the Commodores dropped several close games in the final seconds, partly because they only converted eight of their 14 field-goal attempts. In 2012, placekicker Carey Spear connected on 20 of 24 field-goal attempts.

Walk-on Taylor Hudson will replace departed punter Colby Cooke this season and will need to be efficient, as Cooke was a three-year starter.

The first depth chart of the season shows that senior wide receiver Jonathan Krause will return punts and Kimbrow will be the primary kick returner.

Predictions

Worst-Case Scenario: 4-8 (1-7 in SEC)

Best-Case Scenario: 10-2 and a Bowl bid (6-2 in SEC)

Dr. SEC Preseason Prediction: 9-4 with a win in the Gator Bowl (4-4 in SEC)

Follow @thedrsec 

Back-to-back bowl games and a nine-win season in 2012 have elevated the Vanderbilt football program to a level that was previously thought to be unattainable in the SEC.

Competitor.

In two short seasons, head coach James Franklin has shed the "pushover" label from the program and transformed the Commodores into a team to be reckoned with.

Will they take a step forward in 2013? That remains to be seen. If they don't in 2014 though, something's terribly wrong.

After much anticipation, the SEC released the 2014 football schedule on Wednesday and it was sure to bring smiles to the administration in Nashville. The SEC's schedule is constructed in a 6-1-1 format that features six division games, one permanent cross-division rivalry and one rotating opponent from the other division.

Vanderbilt's permanent cross-division rivalry is with Ole Miss, which should be a contender in 2014. But for the second straight season, that game will be in Nashville. Sure, Vanderbilt Stadium isn't the most intimidating atmosphere in the SEC, but it certainly helps. The 'Dores will have a tuneup with Temple at home to open the season before the Rebels roll into town.

Their other cross-division game will be a trip to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. Whether you think the Bulldogs are on the rise, taking a dive or somewhere in between, it's certainly a more favorable matchup than playing one of the SEC West's big boys. Vandy will have a bye week before the road trip to Starkville.

Tough SEC East matchups? Vanderbilt can't avoid those.

But the 'Dores get South Carolina at home on Sept. 20 following a visit from UMass, play Florida at home on Nov. 8 following a visit from Old Dominion and face Georgia on the road on Oct. 4 a week after playing at Kentucky. 

Getting two of the big three in the East at home is nice, and it's not exactly like Vanderbilt has major hurdles in the weeks prior to those games.

Gauntlet?

There's not one to be found on this slate. In fact, it's hard to find a place where Vanderbilt could realistically lose back-to-back games, much less get into a prolonged losing streak.

Toss in a meeting with FCS opponent Charleston Southern in addition to the games with Temple, Old Dominion and UMass, and Vanderbilt's out-of-conference schedule is a joke.

Will 2014 be the year that Vanderbilt elevates itself from competitor to contender?

With this schedule, it'd almost be hard not to.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Prior to the arrival of head coach James Franklin at Vanderbilt University, the thought of signing a high school running back with as high a ranking as Brian Kimbrow was laughable.

However, that is exactly what happened when Kimbrow chose Vanderbilt over schools like Alabama, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford and Tennessee.

Kimbrow bought into coach Franklin's vision of a new Vanderbilt. In fact, Kimbrow stated on the day he verbally committed to the Commodores over the more historically successful programs mentioned above, "I know they don't have the tradition at Vanderbilt, but things are going to change there.”

Expectations were high for the No. 4 ranked all-purpose back in the nation coming out of high school. He had carried the ball 187 times for 1,969 yards and 21 TDs.

His first season at Vanderbilt he did not disappoint. Kimbrow rushed for 413 yards on just 66 carries (6.3 YPC) and also returned 22 kicks for 486 yards.

His carries were limited in 2012 because he was backing up future NFL running back Zac Stacy. However, Stacy is now a member of the St. Louis Rams and Kimbrow will be the top homerun threat for the Commodores in 2013 from the running back position.

Kimbrow is one of the fastest players in the SEC and has the athleticism and quickness to turn any carry into a touchdown. However, for Kimbrow to be fully effective he will need a partner-in-crime. He is not the biggest back at 5'8" and 185 pounds and could wear down as the season goes forward if he is required to take the bulk of the carries for the Commodores.

This is where senior running back Wesley Tate comes into the picture. He doesn't have the breakaway ability of Kimbrow, but he does have the size (6'1" and 225 lbs) to take the pressure off of Kimbrow. Tate has carried the ball 150 times for a modest 542 yards (3.61 YPC) over his three seasons at Vanderbilt. However, His size makes him a talented blocker and a more physical presence.

He also spent time as a slot receiver and has developed the type of receiving ability out of the backfield that could come in handy for James Franklin's screen-happy offense.

Much of the talk this offseason is about the stable running backs in the SEC, and while Kimbrow and Tate might not put of the numbers of the Georgia Bulldogs dynamic duo of Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, they will be far more productive than the casual fan realizes.

Tate will bring the power and Kimbrow the home run threat. Both backs are talented alone but together could become one of the top duo's in the conference.

In my opinion, these two running backs will likely combine for over 1400 yards this season.

This past season, Vanderbilt won nine games for the first time since 1915 . Their nine-win season also included their longest win streak (7) since 1949 and perhaps most importantly a 41-18 thrashing of instate rival Tennessee.

Coach Franklin and company believe 2013 will be even more successful. With the talent that they have at wide receiver and with the combination of Kimbrow and Tate, this season could be another record-setter for the Commodores.

Vanderbilt and head coach James Franklin landed a big commitment on Thursday in 4-star safety Kyle Gibson.

Gibson is from Armwood High School in Seffner, Fla., and chose the Commodores over the likes of Notre Dame, Miami, Louisville and USF, according to a report from Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel. 

Hays also reports that Gibson notched four picks and 74 tackles last season for his high school team, which is nice production for a safety.

From those numbers alone, one can deduce that Gibson can both cover the field and get involved in the running game. Hopefully those tackles occurred in the box, more often than not. 

Gibson is the No. 22 safety in the nation and the No. 38 player from Florida, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He's 6'0'', 170 pounds and runs a 4.65 40-yard dash, per 247Sports.

He's a big commitment for Vanderbilt for a variety of reasons.

With his addition, the Commodores' 2014 class boasts an impressive 18 commitments. Gibson joins pro-style quarterback recruit K.J. Carta-Samuels as the second 4-star commitment, according to the 247Sports composite. Per 247Sports' exclusive rankings, though, Vanderbilt now has six 4-star recruits. 

Perhaps even more impressive is that Franklin and his staff were able to land Gibson over programs like Miami, Notre Dame and Louisville.

Miami has been hot this cycle and would offer Gibson the chance to stay in state. Louisville is another up and coming program that has been great on the recruiting trail, while Notre Dame's draw is self explanatory.

It's definitely worth noting the competition for Gibson's commitment.  

Coach Franklin has done a fantastic job building a certain brand and hype around Vanderbilt football, and commitments like this solidify and affirm the work that he and his staff are doing.

Vanderbilt's class checks in at No. 19, according to the 247Sports team rankings.

Devante Downs, a 4-star athlete from Mountlake Terrace, Wash., has an interest list that features Pac-12 programs and one SEC school that have one trait in common. All are highly regarded academic institutions.

Downs, who plans to study chemistry in an effort to become a pharmacist, said the quality of education he will receive matters the most to him.

"Football doesn't last more than five years, maybe,'' he said in a recent phone interview with Bleacher Report. "You have to have a job after, and an education is going to get you that."

Downs named Cal, Stanford, Washington and Arizona State as schools that are at the top of his list. He also mentioned Vanderbilt, which offered him a scholarship in February.

"They're up and coming," he said about Vanderbilt. "I'm interested the most in the education, and they're in the SEC. It's the top conference in college football. The fact that they're interested in me means a lot."

Though Downs only mentioned five schools in the interview, his 247Sports interest list also features Oregon, UCLA and USC, though he hasn't received offers from them yet.

His thoughts on the matter?

"I thought I was close to USC and UCLA before spring," he said. "I think if I perform in my senior year they both will (offer) because we remain in close contact. Oregon, I'm not sure about. They expressed interest in me because I took an unofficial there. They told me to come to their spring game, but since then we haven't really talked that much."

Downs said that he hoped to receive offers from UCLA and USC, and added Notre Dame into that group, citing, of course, the education he could receive and the Fighting Irish's football prowess.

The conversation then turned to Cal, which has offered him a scholarship. Downs talked about the beauty of the campus and his interaction with running backs coach Pierre Ingram. "I spent a lot of time with Coach Ingram, and he told me their plans for me," Downs said. "I really liked what I heard."

Downs confirmed via a text message that Cal is recruiting him as a running back. 247Sports ranks him as an athlete and outside linebacker, but Rivals.com does rank him as a running back. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxk4AaZI5Go

As far as visits are concerned, he thinks he'll be visiting Washington State this summer. Downs is the No. 2 player from the state of Washington, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. 

Does he have thoughts on when he'd like to commit?

"Right now the plan is for me to commit at the Army game," he said, referring to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio,Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 4. "But if something that I can't pass up comes my way, if I feel like I need to commit earlier, I will."

 

Five Vanderbilt football players who were suspended by the university have now been dismissed from the school. 

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 19, at 6:25 p.m. ET

The Tennessean's Brian Haas has the latest:

Davidson County District Attorney General Torry Johnson said former Vanderbilt University wide receiver Chris Boyd was not testifying that his quarterback helped move an alleged rape victim back into a dorm room on June 23 when he entered a guilty plea in the case last week.

“What he was asking was, the factual statement by Mr. Thurman, that the text sent and received, that those texts in fact were sent and received,” Johnson said at a news conference this afternoon.

---End of update---

UPDATE: Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6:19 p.m. ET

Following the dismissal of WR Chris Boyd, Susan Niland, a spokeswoman for the DA's office, released this statement regarding Austyn Carta-Samuels reportedly being misidentified in the case, via Brian Haas of The Tennessean:

“At the recent plea agreement of former Vanderbilt football player Chris Boyd, text messages were read that Boyd had sent and received from other individuals. One text from Boyd to former student Corey Batey read in part ‘me Carta and Vanderwal and Vandenburg helped us move her out of the hallway’, referring to the victim who was lying in the hall of the dorm. However, based upon the evidence collected to date, Boyd wrongly identified student Austyn Carta-Samuels as someone who participated in helping move the victim. Carta-Samuels and Dillon Vanderwal are both listed as witnesses in the rape case against four former Vanderbilt students. Vanderwal and another student were involved in moving the victim from the hall to a dorm room, but that act alone does not constitute a crime.”

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 9:42 p.m. ET

Brandon Vandenburg, one of the Vandy player to be arrested and accused of raping a 21-year-old, has been released from jail according to Brian Wilson of the Tennessean. He was the last one to be released. 

---End of update---

 

UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 12:15 p.m. ET

The Associated Press has a major update on the legal proceedings around four former Vanderbilt football players.

Four former Vanderbilt football players have pleaded not guilty to raping an unconscious woman at a campus dormitory.

Cory Batey, 19 of Nashville, Tenn.; Brandon Banks, 19, of Brandywine, Md.; Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, 19, of Woodville, Miss.; and Brandon Vandenburg, 20, of Indio, Calif., pleaded not guilty to several charges, including five counts of rape.

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 19, at 10:43 p.m. ET

Steven Boyd, the father of indicted suspended Vandy player Chris Boyd, is not happy with the Nashville District Attorney's office according to Jeff Lockridge and Tony Gonzalez of The Tennessean: 

The father of indicted Vanderbilt football player Chris Boyd is frustrated with the Nashville District Attorney’s office over what he claims is irreparable damage to his son’s character and integrity.

Steven Boyd said his son, a 21-year-old starting wide receiver for the Commodores from Roswell, Ga., cooperated during “two or three meetings” with authorities. He said his son was shocked Friday afternoon to learn he was being charged as an accessory after the fact in the rape of an unconscious female student on June 23 in a campus dorm.

“Whatever they want, they could have gotten without indicting my son,” Steven Boyd said on Monday while in Nashville to meet with Chris and their attorney, Roger May. “I don’t know how he gets his name back. He’s 21. I don’t know how someone repairs their integrity and character after this. There is nothing bigger.”

---End of update---

UPDATE: Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11:13 a.m. ET

From Metro Nashville PD:

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Aug. 16, at 5:18 p.m. ET 

The Tennessean has the latest on the Vanderbilt situation:

The continuing investigation into a June 23rd sexual assault of a Vanderbilt University co-ed in a campus dormitory today resulted in the indictment of three additional persons, Vanderbilt student and Commodore wide receiver Chris Boyd and two California men.

Vanderbilt released a statement concerning Boyd specifically:

Today the Davidson County District Attorney charged Chris Boyd, a member of the Vanderbilt football team with accessory after the fact related to the incident that occurred in a Vanderbilt residence hall June 23. The charges follow those announced Aug. 9 stemming from the same incident. All of these allegations, including those brought today, are deeply troubling, and we take them very seriously.

Pursuant to the athletic department conduct policy, Mr. Boyd has been suspended from the football team, pending further review.

---End of update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 1:31 p.m. ET 

Brian Haas of The Tennessean has the latest on the proceedings against four ex-Vanderbilt football players accused of rape:

One of four ex-football players at Vanderbilt University, JaBorian McKenzie, has pleaded not guilty to the five rape charges against him.

Late Tuesday, McKenzie entered the plea and waived his arraignment appearance, scheduled for Aug, 21. The action was entered into the court record Wednesday morning.

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:37 p.m. ET 

From Brian Haas of The Tennessean:

The four ex-Vanderbilt University football players charged have been scheduled to appear in court Aug. 21. While defendants have the option of skipping those hearings, it is the first time they or their attorney are given an opportunity to formally hear the charges and enter a plea in the case. 

Haas also reports that both JaBorian McKenzie and Brandon Banks have been released on bond, while Brandon Vandenburg and Cory Batey remain jailed on $350,000 bond. 

---End of update---

UPDATE: Saturday, Aug. 10, at 6:46 p.m. ET 

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin addressed the situation after practice on Saturday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-r6YsqQ-eo

---End of update---

UPDATE: Saturday, Aug. 10, at 11:40 a.m. ET

ESPN has the latest update on the situation:

Police have two more of the former Vanderbilt players in custody following their indictment on five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery involving an unconscious student at a campus dormitory in June.

Brandon Vandenburg, 20, of Indio, Calif., was booked into the Davidson County jail early Saturday morning, while receiver Jaborian "Tip" McKenzie, 19, of Woodville, Miss., was booked Saturday morning. Vandenburg's bond is $350,000 for a total of nine charges, including tampering with evidence and unlawful photography.

Safety Cory Batey, 19 of Nashville, was arrested Friday and also is being held on $350,000 bond. Defensive back Brandon Banks, 19 of Brandywine, Md., has yet to be taken into custody

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Aug. 9, at 6:35 p.m ET

From Mike Organ of The Tennessean:

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Aug. 9, at 5:30 p.m ET

Brian Haas of The Tennessean provides an update on the situation:

Four former Vanderbilt football players have each been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery, Metro police said Friday.

Brandon Vandenburg, 20, from California; Brandon Eric Banks, 19, from Maryland; and JaBorian “Tip” McKenzie, 18 from Mississippi and Cory Batey, 19, of Nashville, were charged in the indictment. Vandenburg was also charged with one count of tampering with evidence and one count of unlawful photography.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Monday, July 15, at 4:32 p.m ET by Tom Kinslow

Vanderbilt released a statement confirming the dismissal of Brandon Banks, Cory Batey, Jaborian McKenzie and Brandon Vandenburg from the team. Head coach James Franklin also made comments on the program's actions.

For student athletes at Vanderbilt, it is a privilege, not a right, to be a part of the program. My coaching staff and I make sure every member of our team understands that. We insist on high standards of personal responsibility and integrity, and there are consequences when those standards are not met. 

"In dealing with this matter, the Commodores football team will continue to hold itself to the same high standards of responsibility and integrity Vanderbilt demands of all of our students. 

"We are cooperating fully with the Nashville Police Department and have pledged not to say or do anything that could interfere with its work or compromise the rights of anyone involved. We have not prejudged anyone's guilt or innocence." 

---End of update---

 

Original Text

ESPN reported the dismissal on Saturday: 

Vanderbilt has dismissed four football players from the team and kicked them off campus while Nashville police investigate whether a sex crime occurred in a campus dormitory.

School officials say the players can't return to campus "without explicit permission" from the school's office of student conduct and academic integrity.

Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said Friday that the university's decision was related to the police investigation.

The players' names have not yet been released. In a public statement, Vanderbilt's official website confirmed the report and promised "further action" if the transgressions prove serious enough. 

Vanderbilt University today announced that four members of its football team were suspended earlier this week for violation of team rules. As additional facts become known, Vanderbilt will take further action, if and as warranted.

Because of Vanderbilt’s ongoing investigation, the university will offer further comment when appropriate.

Under head coach James Franklin, the Commodores enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent history in 2012. In his second season, the 41-year-old Franklin led a renaissance in a program that has historically struggled. After starting the campaign off 2-4, the Commodores reeled off seven consecutive wins (first nine-win season in nearly a century). 

Vanderbilt defeated North Carolina State 38-24 in the Music City Bowl to cap off the late-season run, just their third bowl win in school history. Last season marked the second consecutive bowl game under Franklin, a first for the program. They finished No. 23 in the Associated Press poll, the first time since 1948 the team ended a campaign inside the Top 25. 

Franklin returns next season with expectations high for a repeat performance. While there is still plenty to be investigated in this matter, the Commodores will certainly feel the blow of losing four players should the suspensions last into the 2013 season.

Neither Franklin nor any member of the Vanderbilt athletics staff have made a comment on the matter at this time. 

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In recruiting, it's all about making an impression.

One Vanderbilt assistant coach could be making quite a unique impression soon.

Commodore offensive line coach Herb Hand has been named a finalist to be on the cast of the Food Network show, Chopped.

Hand tweeted a screen shot of an email he received from the show.

It just got REAL up in here! #Chopped #BringOnTheBaskets pic.twitter.com/g2Y8jW3Rey

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) June 26, 2013

But he's not just focused on making the cut, Hand is already planning a celebration in the most SEC way possible.

When I win the dessert round, I'm leading @ChopTedAllen in an 'ESS EEE CEE' chant while flashing the VU hand sign. #ANCHORDOWN

— Herb Hand (@CoachHand) June 26, 2013

"Cooking is one of my true passions," he said. "I love making good food for people. Whether it's my family, friends or players, I truly enjoy serving a great meal. I look forward to the opportunity to compete."

The reality show pits four contestants against each other in timed cooking challenges with set ingredients designed to test their creativity and efficiency. Hand is still receiving details on the next steps in the process, but CoachingSearch.com notes that the show is taped in Denver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ztULBplNrI

If he were to make the cut, can you imagine the exposure he would receive for the program? The show routinely lands in the ratings of the weekly top 100 cable shows, and consistently draws over one million viewers.

Will that register with high school prospects? 

It couldn't hurt.

It'd provide head coach James Franklin with another opportunity to promote the product on a national and unique level. Plus, for college football, it'd attract an audience that may not necessarily be familiar with the sport.

It's an interesting situation, and hopefully Hand can make it into the cast and display his cooking talents to the rest of the country.

*Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained firsthand.

Follow @BarrettSallee

Do you know who currently holds the longest active winning streak in the SEC? It is not Alabama, Georgia, LSU or even Florida. It is none other than the Vanderbilt Commodores.

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that Vanderbilt was the bottom feeder of the SEC. From 2000-2010 they had an overall record of 36 wins and 93 losses.

Moreover, their football struggles did not begin during the 2000 season. Vanderbilt began playing college football in 1890. However, prior to the hiring of Coach James Franklin, they had only played in a bowl game four times.

Coach Franklin had the Commodores competitive in his first season as head coach during the 2011 season.  They finished the regular season 6-6, and Vanderbilt was selected to play in just their second bowl game since 1983.  However, their overall record only told a small portion of the story. 

For the first time in my lifetime, the Commodores were not a team you could just look over. Five of their losses on the season were only one touchdown away from being victories.

It was a good start, but it appears to be just the beginning for the Commodores. In 2012, Vanderbilt won nine games for the first time since 1915. Their nine-win season also included their longest win streak (7) since 1949.  Perhaps their most impressive win was their 41-18 victory over their in-state rival, Tennessee.

Yes, things have changed in the state of Tennessee, and Coach Franklin is the reason why. Now it seems with every vacant head coaching position that comes open, Franklin’s name is mentioned. However, don’t look for him to leave Vanderbilt anytime soon. The Commodores realize what they have in Franklin, and he is content with building his legacy, much like Steve Spurrier did at Florida. Prior to Spurrier’s arrival, Florida had never won an SEC championship.

Before I write the rest of this article, I have a confession. I was not always a believer in Coach Franklin. I never doubted his ability to motivate his team or his impressive game time coaching ability. I was convinced that Franklin lacked the maturity to be a successful SEC coach.

As it turns out, I could not have been more wrong.

Coach Franklin’s outburst following the Georgia and Tennessee games was not a lack of maturity. Instead, it was the manifestation of his deep passion for his players and Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt is not a stepping stone for Coach Franklin; it is home.

The success that the Commodores have had over the past two seasons is not going to be the end of the story. Of this, I am certain. My experience with Coach Franklin at the Franklin American Mortgage Company Music City Bowl has turned me into a believer, and it had nothing to do with Vanderbilt’s impressive 38-24 victory over North Carolina State on the field.

To win at Vanderbilt consistently, you have to be a different kind of football coach. You can’t be distant and moody like Nick Saban at Alabama, and you can’t even be corky and lovable like Les Miles at LSU. You have to be genuine and approachable like Coach Franklin.

I covered the Music City Bowl from the press box. However, I was able to have a special friend of mine in the press box with me. Along with covering SEC sports, I also pastor a church about an hour and 45 minutes away from Nashville.

There is a young man in my church by the name of Austin Borens, who was born with cerebral palsy. Because of this disease, he has had over 10 surgeries despite only being 11 years old. Austin will never be able to play college football but dreams of one day being the head football coach at Vanderbilt, his favorite school. I am convinced that this is a goal he might very well reach.

Over the past year, Austin has become like a family member to me. So, when the opportunity arose for me to be able to take him to the Music City Bowl with me, I was very excited. His face was lit with joy the whole game, as his beloved Commodores were dominant for four quarters.

After the game, we went on the field to watch the post-game celebration. Austin’s dad carried him on his shoulders, so he got a perfect view of the trophy presentation. Little did we know that this was just the beginning.

As the celebration was coming to an end, we were standing behind the Music City Bowl MVP Zac Stacy. It was at that moment that Coach Franklin walked past us to inform Stacy that it was time to return back to the locker room.

As coach Franklin was heading back to the locker room, he caught a glimpse of Austin. He had met Austin in a brief encounter a few months earlier. He came over to Austin and gave him a hug as if two best friends had been reunited. From there, we went to the press room for the post-game interview. After we got done, Austin and his father were ushered into the Vanderbilt locker room.

Once in the locker room, Coach Franklin began talking with Austin again. Coach Franklin then proceeded to introduce his children to Austin and have his star players take pictures with Austin and the Music City Bowl trophy.

The most impressive part of this event was that Coach Franklin had no idea I was a reporter. He had no idea that anyone was viewing his good deed. In other words, this was not a PR move. This was a man who loves and appreciates his fan base.

A great coach could come to Vanderbilt and win a handful of games and move on. A great coach who loves his University can come to Vanderbilt and build a genuine contender.

James Franklin is that man, and Vanderbilt and the SEC are better because he is here.

The Vanderbilt football program was the laughingstock of the SEC for years. Every one of their conference opponents looked at the schedule in the preseason and marked a “W’ next to the game against the Commodores.

Vanderbilt has only had five winning seasons in program history and from 1986-2001. The Commodores had only 18 wins against SEC competition.

The expectations have changed in Nashville. Here are three reasons why Vanderbilt football will be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC in the foreseeable future

James Franklin

Bobby Johnson was hired as the Vanderbilt coach in 2001 and, although he did not have immediate success, he began to change the football culture in Nashville; it was no longer acceptable to be the doormats of the SEC

The program grew under Johnson’s tutelage and had some noteworthy achievements. In 2005, quarterback Jay Cutler was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and in 2008, the Commodores finished with a 6-6 record, which earned them an appearance at the Music City Bowl—their first bowl game in 53 years. Vanderbilt defeated Boston College in that game 16-14.

Johnson retired in 2010, and after Robbie Caldwell finished out his interim tenure in 2010, Vanderbilt hired Maryland assistant coach James Franklin.

Franklin continued to build on the foundation formed by Johnson and has led Vanderbilt's charge as one of the rising programs in college football.

The 2011 season resulted in the Commodores reaching another bowl game, the Liberty Bowl. Although they were beaten by Cincinnati 31-24, there was no doubt that Franklin had the program headed in the right direction.

2012 was an even better year for Vanderbilt. It was the first time the Commodores had ever had back-to-back seasons reaching a bowl game. They finished the season with nine wins, including an impressive 38-24 defeat of N.C. State in the Music City Bowl. The nine wins Vanderbilt tallied in 2012 are the most for the program since 1915.

Recruiting

Franklin has been able to turn around Vanderbilt’s recruiting. He is a young, high-energy coach who can relate to players coming out of high school. The SEC is a hotbed for recruiting, and the Commodores have held their own.

According to ESPN, the Commodores have 12 4-star recruits and 13 3-star recruits in the 2013 recruiting class. ESPN also has the Vanderbilt class as the No. 22 ranked class, ahead of such powerhouses as Nebraska and Oregon.

Recruiting is the first step in building a program. Franklin has been able to garner interest in Vanderbilt, which will give the program momentum in the coming years.

The second step of building a program is developing that talent. Franklin has proven he can win with another coach’s players—now he has to prove he can win with his own.

Vanderbilt’s biggest obstacle in the coming years will not take place on the field. Instead, their biggest challenge will be keeping Franklin as their head coach.

If a coach can win at Vanderbilt, he can win anywhere, and that will catch the attention of other schools where it is easier to win. After this past season, schools were asking about Franklin, but he remained loyal to Vanderbilt.

If Franklin stays at the helm in Nashville, the Commodores will remain competitive in the SEC and become a fixture in bowl games. If the past two years are any indication, the Vanderbilt football program has a bright future.

Schedule

The SEC provides their teams with a brutal schedule every year. With conference expansion and the manageable East Division, however, the Commodores will have plenty of opportunities to earn enough wins to become bowl eligible in the coming years.

By playing in the East, Vanderbilt avoids annual matchups against the likes of LSU, Alabama and Texas A&M.

Yes, the East has juggernauts like South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, but it also has down programs that Vanderbilt should be able to handle. Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri are all struggling, and they are all teams the Commodores beat rather handily in 2012.

Combine those three games with four win from a weak non-conference schedule, and Vanderbilt should be favored in at least seven games.

Looking at the 2013 slate, Vanderbilt will win at least eight games, and with a little luck, that number could be higher. Franklin has been able to do what was once thought to be impossible—build a consistent winner at Vanderbilt. In 2013, that trend will continue. 

It's been a huge day for the Vanderbilt Commodores—who finish their day with 27 commits, including 12 4-star players. But the best news of all today was the landing of wide receiver Jordan Cunningham.

Cunningham is just another name in Vanderbilt's haul of offensive commits, which includes 13 players and five different wide receivers.

With news of his intent to attend Vanderbilt, the team's war room exploded in celebration—lead by head coach James Franklin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GogOJ0-r7P0

A Florida native, Cunningham reportedly chose Vanderbilt over Florida State, Miami and Stanford (h/t The Tennessean).

The high schooler was obviously excited about his decision, taking to twitter to announce:

got accepted to VANDY!!! Lol

— Jordan (@jcvybez) February 6, 2013

At 6'1", 175 pounds, the 4-star athlete has great hands and receiving instincts. He's also not afraid to make aggressive catches in traffic—which he'll need in the SEC.

Based off ESPN's rankings, Cunningham ranked as the 107th-overall high school player, and was the 13th-best prospect at wide receiver.

The program's next best prospect at wide receiver is DeAndre Woods, who ranks 23rd overall at the position.

Cunningham is Vanderbilt's only ESPN top-150 recruit, albeit a big one.

The Commodores finished No. 23 in the BCS rankings last year, going 9-4 overall and 5-4 in the SEC.

While the team's defense was solid (18th overall in yards allowed per game), the offense struggled all season long.

Vanderbilt was 81st in total yards per game (379.7) and averaged just over 20 points a game against SEC opponents.

The Commodores will see a big exodus this year, with quarterback Jordan Rodgers and running back Zac Stacy both graduating seniors. There's not considerable depth at receiver either.

Cunningham provides Vanderbilt great offensive talent for the future.

With junior Jordan Matthews (1,323 receiving yards) entering his final year in the program, Cunningham has a year to learn before taking over in 2014.

His athleticism and great receiving tools will make him a huge impact player in the SEC, and could be the big piece that gets the Commodores offense back on track.

Vandy remains on the rise in the national scene, and landing a 4-star recruit like Cunningham over his in-state schools is a huge win for the program.

With the big prize finally in hand, Vanderbilt can rest on what was a great end to national signing day.