Commodores To Watch: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt 2020

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Commodores To Watch: Georgia vs. Vanderbilt 2020

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Ken Seals (8) threw downfield  as Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 38-35 on November 14, 2020.  Photo by Mark Cornelison
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Ken Seals (8) threw downfield as Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 38-35 on November 14, 2020. Photo by Mark Cornelison

Ken Seals  (QB, #8)

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason has found his starting quarterback this year in freshman Ken Seals. Although Seals has struggled this year, he has shown flashes of success throughout his short tenure. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound signal caller has the size and has a pocket presence when on the field, but has shown that he has the ability to scramble when necessary. The Texas native has completed 69 percent of his passes but boasts a nine touchdown to 10 interception ratio this season. Seals is very talented but is going through a learning curve as the winless Commodores limp into Sanford Stadium to face a hungry Georgia defense.

Cam Johnson (WR, #7)

 

 

 

 

Commodores’ receiver Cam Johnson has had a decent year as he’s hauled in 49 passes for 411 yards and two scores. Johnson is Vanderbilt’s leading receiver so far this season. The Brentwood Academy product was a four-star when he signed with Vanderbilt and was a huge get for Derek Mason. So far the junior has proven his worth in an offense that has struggled for the last few seasons. It will be interesting to see if Johnson can get separation and be a spark for a depleted offense against Georgia on Saturday. 

Keyon Henry-Brooks (RB, #21)

Vanderbilt’s Keyon Henry-Brooks will return to his home state for the first time on Saturday to play in Sanford Stadium. The Powder Springs native is the Commodores’ leading rusher so far this year with 100 rushes for 438 yards with two scores. Although he ranks eleventh in the conference in rushing, he’s a bruiser of a back at 6-foot-1 and 200-pounds. He should be the lead back against the Bulldogs, but backup Ja’veon Marlow might see some playing time as well. Those two will challenge a Georgia defense that’s missing their top two defensive linemen.

 

 

 

 

Dayo Odeyingbo (DT, #10)

Vanderbilt senior defensive tackle Dayo Odeyingbo is in the middle of the pack in the SEC for sacks. He’s arguably the best player on the Commodores’ defense and has a lot of potential to be a top NFL draft pick. Odeyingbo was named to the 2020 Preseason All-SEC second team in August and is having a very productive year for Vanderbilt. He is the leader of the Commodores’ defense and will try and stop Georgia’s rush attack. The Bulldogs’ offensive line will have their hands full with his pass rush skills, too.

Anfeynee Orji  (LB, #26)

Vanderbilt linebacker Anfeynee Orji is the team’s leading tackler through eight games with 53 total stops; he also has 0.5 sacks, two pass break ups and one forced fumble. The sophomore Texas native is a very vocal leader for Vanderbilt and is one of the best young stars on the roster. Orji is a force to try and stop as he takes up a lot of ground on the field. His presence is known when opposing offensive lines don’t create holes for their running backs. Look for Georgia to try and double team guys like Orji and Odeyingbo on Saturday.

Harrison Smith  (Punter, #95)

The Commodores’ offense is one of the worst in the conference and the team has had to rely on punter Harrison Smith to win the field position game, a lot. The junior has some pretty impressive numbers for a middle-of-the-pack punter in the league. Two weeks ago against Florida, Smith downed six punts inside the Gators’ 20-yard line. If Vanderbilt’s offense can’t get going against Georgia, the coaching staff will rely heavily on Smith to keep them in the game. Through his first eight games, Smith is averaging 41.62 yards per punt with a long of 62.

 

 

 

 

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Currently an intern for BI, and a junior journalism major at the University of Georgia.