The Vanderbilt Commodores have been enjoying unprecedented success on the playing field in recent years, as evidenced by a large increase in the number of former Commodores turning pro after their college careers come to a close. Several of these young stars are just beginning to scratch the surface of their potential, which should have Commodore fans excited for the future of former Vanderbilt athletes in professional sports.
Former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler, now of the Denver Broncos, was involved in a thrilling Week 2 victory over the San Diego Chargers, throwing for 350 yards, four touchdowns, one interception and the game-winning 2-point conversion to take advantage of a controversial call by the referee that gave the Broncos a second chance to win the game.
Linebacker Jonathan Goff has yet to play for the New York Giants after missing some time with a fractured vertebra. Originally expected to miss the entire season, Goff has already returned to practice and the team claims he feels fine.
Chicago Bears teammates Earl Bennett and Chris Williams have struggled to see the field so far as rookies, albeit for different reasons. Bennett has several solid players in front of him on the depth chart, while Williams will miss at least the first half of the season after having surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. But while Williams will have to slowly earn playing time once healthy, Bennett may see the field as early as this weekend due to an injury to teammate Devin Hester.
Other former Commodores in starting lineups around the NFL include Corey Chavous (of the St. Louis Rams) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (Chicago Bears), while Jovan Haye (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jamie Winborn (Denver Broncos), Justin Geisinger (Washington Redskins) and Todd Yoder (Redskins) all have seen playing time as key reserves.
Golfer Brandt Snedeker has earned more than $1.5 million this year on the PGA Tour, with five top-10 finishes this season. He placed third at the Masters and ninth at the U.S. Open.
In baseball, Cleveland Indians teammates Jeremy Sowers and Jensen Lewis have struggled as pitchers this year, posting records of 3-8 and 0-4 respectively, although Lewis has converted eight save opportunities this season.
Drafted No. 2 overall in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, third baseman Pedro Alvarez is mired in a contract dispute with his future team. His agent, Scott Boras, is contending that the contract is not valid because it was agreed upon after MLB's deadline, and is therefore trying to renegotiate. Alvarez is quickly becoming a hated figure in Pittsburgh despite the fact Boras is pulling all the strings. In the meantime, former Commodore Matt Kata is currently batting .222 at third base for the Pirates.
On the plus side, 2007 No. 1 overall pick David Price made his Major League debut for the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays against the New York Yankees, giving up two runs in 5 1/3 innings of solid relief pitching.
Since disbanding its athletic department, Vanderbilt has paradoxically started to bring in higher-quality recruits, and their success has opened the doors for even more great athletes to choose to come to Nashville for an education and a chance to be a part of something great as an athlete.
Because of this, the best may be yet to come as the Commodores are achieving more than ever on the playing field, which should lend itself to more publicity and professional opportunities down the road for these hard-working athletes.
