List of Vanderbilt University athletes

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Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, has graduated a number of athletes. This includes graduates, non-graduate former students and current students of Vanderbilt who are notable for their achievements within athletics, sometimes before or after their time at Vanderbilt. Intercollegiate sports teams at Vanderbilt are known as the "Commodores", due to founder Cornelius Vanderbilt's sobriquet.

Vanderbilt's first football team.

Vanderbilt University currently sponsors teams in six men's and ten women's NCAA sanctioned sports:[1] men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's bowling, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, women's swimming, men's and women's tennis, and women's track and field.

Well-known American football athletes include former students Jay Cutler, Jamie Duncan, Shelton Quarles, and Will Wolford, former Vanderbilt football coaches Dan McGugin, Wallace Wade, and Red Sanders, and all-time greats such as Lynn Bomar, Josh Cody, Bucky Curtis, Carl Hinkle, Bill Spears, John J. Tigert, and Bill Wade. Former Vanderbilt chemistry professor William Lofland Dudley was known as the "father of Southern football."[2] Vanderbilt's entrants into the NBA include Charles Davis, Festus Ezeli, Shan Foster, John Jenkins, Dan Langhi, Clyde Lee, and Will Perdue. Award-winning baseball stars include Pedro Alvarez, David Price, Scotti Madison, and Mike Minor. Sportswriters Grantland Rice and Fred Russell had both been members of the baseball team.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Olympics[edit]

Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Jeff Turner 1984 Power forward Former professional basketball player with the New Jersey Nets and former U.S. Olympic Team Member (gold medal in men's basketball, 1984).
Scott A. Muller 1994 K1 Whitewater slalom Finished 44th in the K-1 event at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2002 he won a bronze medal at the Pan American Slalom Kayak Championships. [3]

American football[edit]

See also: Vanderbilt Commodores football and Category:Vanderbilt Commodores football players
R. G. Acton, head coach for Vandy's first conference title.
Earl Bennett, All-SEC (2005, 2006, 2007).
Bob Blake, All-Southern (1903, 1905, 1906, 1907). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era.
Lynn Bomar, end for the Vanderbilt Commodores and New York Giants. Consensus All-American in 1923. Vandy's first player elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Bull Brown, All-Southern (1928, 1929). All-American (1929). One of six players McGugin ranked as his best.
Josh Cody, third-team All-American and thrice All-Southern. College Football Hall of Fame. Long time college coach.
Irby "Rabbit" Curry, third-team All-American. Twice . His plane was shot down over France in World War I.
Jay Cutler, First-round draft pick (11th overall) of the Denver Broncos (2006–2009) Chicago Bears, (2009–present) Pro Bowl Selection (2008). SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2005). First-team All-SEC (2005).
Lewie Hardage. All-Southern (1908 (with Auburn), 1911, 1912). 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. Backfield coach at Vanderbilt (1922–1931). Head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners football team (1932–1934).
Elliott Jones, Vanderbilt's first captain and coach.
Doc Kuhn, All-American Honorable Mention (1922), Billy Evans's . Porter Cup (1923), Two-sport captain (1923)
David Lee, next to Chad Pennington in 2009.
W. E. Metzger, Dan McGugin's first great guard.
Ray Morrison, All-Southern (1910, 1911). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. College Football Hall of Fame as coach.
Jess Neely, one of Vandy's greatest ever captains (1922). Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Winningest coach in Rice University history. Vanderbilt athletic director (1967–71, 1973). College Football Hall of Fame as coach.
Shelton Quarles, Pro Bowl Selection (2002). Super Bowl Champion (XXXVII). SEC Football Legend (2008).
Baby Ray, Green Bay Packers (1938–1948) NFL 1940s All-Decade Team Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Gil Reese, first three-sport captain at Vanderbilt. (1923, 1924).
Bill Spears, All-Southern (1926, 1927) College Football Hall of Fame.
Zac Stacy, currently plays for the New York Jets. First Commodore to rush for over 1,000 yards back to back years; and first to rush for over 3,000 yards in career.
Stein Stone All-Southern (1904, 1905, 1906, 1907). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. 1934 All-time Vandy team. Won 4 Southern championships in his 4 years.
John J. Tigert, All-Southern (1903) College Football Hall of Fame
Bill Wade with Donna Reed, 1959. Quarterback, SEC MVP (1951). 1st overall pick in 1952 NFL Draft. NFL Champion (1963). Twice All-Pro (1962, 1963), Twice Pro Bowl selection (1958, 1963). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame.
Hek Wakefield, consensus All-American (1924) All-Southern (1923, 1924)
Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Dick Abernathy 1929 End All-Southern (1928, 1929). All-American (1928) [4]
R. G. Acton 1898 Guard Vanderbilt's fifth head coach (1896–1898) who led Vandy to its first conference title. He also played at Harvard. He was a medical doctor, and died of an overdose of morphine in 1900. [5]
Alf Adams 1919 End Captain (1917). All-Southern (1917, 1919). Last non-senior captain until 2003. [6]
Mackenzi Adams 2009 Quarterback Finished career with solid effort at Tennessee, hitting 19 of 35 passes for 174 yards and a TD, earning team's Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Sam Agee 1937 Running back National Football League player.
Billy Alford 2004 Cornerback National Football League player. Arena Football League player.
Ricky Anderson 1984 Punter Consensus All-American (1984). First-team All-SEC (1984) Also placekicker. [7]
Jimmy Armistead 1928 Halfback Captain (1928). Led nation in scoring in 1927 (138 points). Target of Bill Spears. [8]
Jim Arnold 1982 Punter National Football League player. Pro Bowl selection. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (2002) [9]
Bob Asher 1969 Tackle National Football League player. Super Bowl champion (VI). SEC Football Legend (1995). All-American (1969). Second-team All-SEC (1968).
Derrick Atterberry 1994 Defensive back Canadian Football League and Arena Football League player.
John F. H. Barbee 1900 End Captain (1900)
Brandon Barden 2011 Tight end National Football League player.
Ainsley Battles 1999 Safety National Football League player.
William E. Beard 1892 Quarterback Said to be the first to dub Vanderbilt the Commodores in the Nashville Banner. First Vandy quarterback to play Tennessee. [10]
Eugene Beck 1934 Captain (1934)
Alvin "Pep" Bell 1924 Quarterback Backup to Doc Kuhn. Official for 30 years. He officiated in four Sugar Bowl games and eight Blue–Gray Games, and the 1936 U.S. Olympic basketball trials. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. [11]
Horace E. Bemis 1890 Halfback Elliott Jones said he was responsible for the majority of the offense in Vanderbilt's first ever football game.
Earl Bennett 2007 Wide receiver National Football League player. Thrice All-SEC (2005, 2006, 2007)
Grailey Berryhill 1921 Running back Scored six touchdowns in the 76–0 victory over rival Tennessee in 1918. Captain-elect (1921). Tennessee politician. [12]
Bob Blake 1907 End All-Southern (1903, 1905, 1906, 1907). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era. Won 4 Southern championships in his 4 years. He and John Tigert were both Rhodes Scholars. [13][14]
Dan Blake 1906 Running back All-Southern (1905, 1906). Brother of Bob. [15]
Frank Blake 190? Coached Mercer Brother of Bob, Dan, and Vaughn.
Vaughn Blake 1909 End All-Southern (1908). Brother of Bob and Dan. [16]
Hord Boensch 1913 Quarterback All-Southern (1913)
Lynn Bomar 1924 End Consensus All-American in 1923, the last first team All-American from the south selected by Walter Camp. (1922, 1923). National Football League player. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1920–1969 era. 1934 All-time Vandy team. First from Vanderbilt to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Member of teams which won three-straight conference titles. He later became warden of Tennessee State Prison and executed several men. [17]
Howard Boogher 1897 End 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. [13]
C. R. "Tex" Bradford 1923 Tackle Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. All-Southern (1922). He was ruled ineligible for '23. [18]
Bull Brown 1929 Guard Captain (1929). All-Southern (1928, 1929). All-American (1929). 1934 All-time Vandy team. One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. [17][19]
Enoch Brown 1913 End All-Southern (1911, 1912, 1913). 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Innis Brown 1905 Guard All-Southern (1904, 1905). Southern official. [20]
J. Ham. Brown 1903 Center 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Mack Brown 1972 Running back Former head football coach at University of Texas who won the 2005 National Championship. Transferred to Florida State University.
Preston Brown 1979 Wide receiver National Football League player.
Tom Brown 1913 Tackle 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. [13]
Watson Brown 1972 Quarterback He led the winning touchdown drive in 1969 against 13th ranked Alabama in Nashville. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Older brother of Mack Brown. Watson later coached. [21]
Marcus Buggs 2007 Linebacker National Football League player.
Lucius E. Burch 1896 Guard 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Later a prominent surgeon and Dean of Vanderbilt University Medical School. [13]
Barry Burton 1975 Tight end named First Team All-America by Football News. First team All-SEC (1974)
Vin Campbell 1907 Halfback 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team [13]
Neil Cargile 1927 Quarterback Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Charlie Carman 1919 Guard National Football League player.
Corey Chavous 1997 Safety National Football League player. Pro Bowl (2003). SEC Football Legend (2010)
Walter K. Chorn 1908 Guard 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Josh Cody 1919 Tackle Third-team All-American (1915, 1919), All-Southern (1915, 1916, 1919). Later football and basketball coach at Vandy. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era. Football Writers Association of America 1869–1918 Early Era All-America Team. One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. College Football Hall of Fame (1970). Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. [14][17][19]
Russ Cohen 1916 End Captain of SIAA champion 1915 team. All-Southern (1915). Long time college coach. [22]
Leonard Coleman 1983 Cornerback First round pick in 1984. Indianapolis Colts (1984–1987) San Diego Chargers (1988–1989)
Zach Coles 1927 Guard Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Wilson Collins 1911 Halfback [23]
Phil Connell 1897 Fullback 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team [13]
Ken Cooper 1948 Guard
Sam Costen 1908 Quarterback All-Southern (1906) One time coach at The Citadel. [24]
Martin Cox 1978 Running back
Honus Craig 1907 Running back 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. 1934 All-time Vandy team. [13][17]
Larry "Kitty" Creson 1928 End All-Southern (1927) [25]
Wallace Crutchfield 1901 Guard All-Southern (1899)
Zach Curlin 1913 Quarterback Long time Memphis Tigers coach. Made kicks against both Harvard and Michigan. [2]
Irby "Rabbit" Curry 1916 Quarterback Known as "Rabbit", described as "the player who has most appealed to the imagination, admiration, and affection of the entire university community through the years." All-Southern (1915, 1916) and third-team All-American. SIAA Champion (1915). A beloved player killed over France in the First World War. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Namesake of Curry Field. [26]
Bucky Curtis 1950 End National Football League player. All-American (1950). Led nation with 29.3 yard reception average in 1950. Target of Bill Wade. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [27]
Jay Cutler 2005 Quarterback currently plays for the Chicago Bears. Pro Bowl Selection (2008). SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2005). First-team All-SEC (2005). [28]
Herman Daves 1918 Guard All-Southern.
George Deiderich 1958 Guard Consensus All-American (1958). First-team All-SEC (1957, 1958). National and Canadian football league player.
Art Demmas 1956 Tackle Captain (1956). College and NFL Official. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Rand Dixon 1935 Quarterback Decorated World War II veteran.
Jamie Duncan 1997 Linebacker All-American (1997); National Football League player. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (2009) [29]
Jack Dye 1899 Running back All-Southern (1898)
John Edgerton 1902 Fullback 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. All-Southern (1902). [13]
Pat Estes 1890 Quarterback Vanderbilt's first quarterback.
Johnny "Red" Floyd 1920 Running back Coached at Middle Tennessee State, namesake of Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium. [22]
Ewing Y. Freeland 1911 Tackle All-Southern (1911). TCU Horned Frogs, Millsaps Majors, SMU Mustangs, and Texas Tech Red Raiders head football coach; TCU Horned Frogs men's basketball head coach, Texas Tech Red Raiders baseball head coach, and Te koxas Tech Red Raiders athletic director.
Chris Gaines 1987 Linebacker First Team Kodak All-America (1987). Could bench 450 pounds and recorded 37 tackles in a game against Tulane.
Curtis Gatewood 2007 Linebacker National Football League player.
Willie Geny 1935 End Vandy's first first-team All-SEC player. SEC MVP (1935). Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Justin Geisinger 2004 Guard National Football League player.
Frank Godchaux, Sr. 1899 Quarterback [2]
Frank Godchaux 1921 Running back first son to follow in his father's footsteps as a Vanderbilt football player. Member of SIAA champion 1921 team. [30]
Jonathan Goff 2007 Linebacker 2nd team All-SEC. National Football League player. Super Bowl Champion (XLVI). [31]
Bob Goodridge 1967 Wide receiver SEC Player of the Year (1967). National Football League player.
Clarence "Pete" Gracey 1932 Center Thrice All-Southern (1930, 1931, 1932). Consensus All-American (1932). [32]
Irish Graham 1905 Tackle All-Southern (1904)
Tom Graham 1894 Tackle 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Bob Gude 1941 Center 2x All-SEC (1940, 1941). All-American (1941). NFL player. [33]
Andre Hal 2013 Cornerback currently plays for the Houston Texans.
John Hall 1954 Defensive tackle Vandy's first ever Academic All-American. Hall stood at just 5-10 and weighed 175 pounds. He is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame [34]
C. M. Hamilton 1915 Guard All-Southern (1914)
Ed Hamilton 1908 End All-Southern (1904, 1905) [35]
Lewie Hardage 1912 Running back All-Southern (1908 (with Auburn), 1911, 1912). 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. Backfield coach at Vanderbilt (1922–1931). Head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners football team. (1932–1934). One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. [13][19][23]
Gene Harlow 1940 Fullback, Guard One time coach at Arkansas State.
Corey Harris 1991 Defensive back National Football League player.
Dennis Harrison 1977 Defensive end Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Charles Hassett 1897 Guard 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Louis Hasslock 1908 Guard All-Southern (1908). [36]
Jovan Haye 2004 Defensive lineman National Football League player.
Casey Hayward 2011 Cornerback currently plays for the Green Bay Packers.
Chip Healy 1968 Linebacker First Team All-American by the Central Press and Second Team All-American by The Sporting News.
Gink Hendrick 1920 End All-Southern (1920). Leading scorer of 1920 Vandy team.
Bill Hendrix 1927 Halfback Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Hunter Hillenmeyer 2002 Linebacker National Football League player.
Carl Hinkle 1937 Center Southeastern Conference MVP (1937), College Football Hall of Fame (1959). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. [37]
Charley Horton 1955 Halfback Third-team All-American (1955). National and Canadian football league player.
Jimmy Huggins 1937 Quarterback Was a tiny 5'6" 145 pounds. Led the team over LSU in 1937.
Terence Jeffers-Harris 1942 Wide receiver Canadian Football League player.
Jack Jenkins 1942 Running back All-SEC. Drafted 1st round, 10th overall in the 1943 NFL Draft. [38]
Wesley Johnson 2013 Guard currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Elliott Jones 1892 Running back Vanderbilt's first captain and head coach. [36]
Rushen Jones 2002 Defensive back National Football League player.
Antony Jordan 1997 Linebacker National Football League player.
Norman Jordan 1982 Running back
Jess Keene 1927 Center Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Chambers Kellar 1894 End 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
W. J. "Cap" Keller 1894 Quarterback Vanderbilt's second captain and head coach.
Everett "Tuck" Kelly 1924 Guard All-Southern (1923). Captain (1924). Member of teams which won three straight conference titles. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. [18]
Jack Kershaw 1935 ? attorney and sculptor who represented James Earl Ray.
Phil King 1957 Running back Captain (1957). National Football League player.
Doc Kuhn 1923 Quarterback Starting quarterback for teams which won three-straight conference titles. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Walter Camp All-American Honorable Mention in 1922. Porter Cup recipient in 1923. Captain of both football and basketball teams in '23. [18]
Frank Kyle 1905 Quarterback First starting quarterback under coach Dan McGugin. 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Kenny Ladler 2013 Safety currently plays for the Buffalo Bills
Reshard Langford 2008 Safety National Football League player.
Swayne Latham 1921 Quarterback All-Southern (1919)
Fatty Lawrence 1924 Guard Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school. [18]
David Lee 1974 Quarterback Starting quarterback and team's most valuable player (1974). Now coach.
Amos Leonard 1931
Myron Lewis 2009 Cornerback National Football League player.
Tex Leyendecker 1932 Tackle All-Southern (1931, 1931). National Football League player. [39]
Tom Lipscomb 1919 Tackle [40]
Owsley Manier 1906 Fullback 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. 1934 All-time Vandy team. Member of 3 straight southern championships. First Vanderbilt player elected to an All-American team; on Walter Camp's third-team. [13][17]
Bill Marinangel 1996 Punter First Team All-America (1996). Ran for 81 yard touchdown against Alabama.
Chris Marve 2011 Linebacker Second-team All-SEC (2011)
Doug Mathews 1969 Running back
Allama Matthews 1982 Wide receiver National Football League player.
Jordan Matthews 2013 Wide receiver currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Third-team All-American (2013). Twice All-SEC (2012, 2013). Single-season record with 1,262 yards receiving (2012). Single-season SEC reception record at 112 (2013). SEC record with 263 career receptions and 3,759 career yards.
J. B. McAlester 1899 First American Indian to play on the Vanderbilt football team.
C. R. "Tot" McCullough 1923 End Known for his large size (6'4"). Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. He was ruled ineligible for '23. [18]
Ox McKibbon 1927 End Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Fatty McLain 1908 Guard All-Southern (1906, 1908) [41]
W. E. "Frog" Metzger 1911 Guard Dan McGugin's first great lineman. All-Southern (1910, 1911). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era. 1934 All-time Vandy team. [13][14][17]
Boo Mitchell 1988 Wide receiver Third Team All-America (1988).
D. J. Moore 2008 Cornerback Chicago Bears (2009–present)
Hugh Morgan 1912 Center All-Southern (1911, 1912) [42]
Ray Morrison 1911 Quarterback Starter for the scoreless tie with Yale at Yale Field. All-Southern (1910, 1911). College Football Hall of Fame as coach. 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869–1919 era. One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. 1934 All-time Vandy team. He was coach of Vanderbilt after McGugin, as well as during 1918. [13][14][17][19][23]
Garland Morrow 1921 Guard men's basketball coach (1929–1931; 1944–1946). Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. [18]
Gene Moshier 1974 Guard
Lee Nalley 1949 Safety Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1920–1969 era. One of the all-time great punt returners. His records were not broken until Wes Welker did so. [14]
Bill Neely 1910 End Captain (1910). All-Southern (1910). The 1910 team tied Yale. Older brother of Jess Neely
Jess Neely 1922 Halfback One of Vandy's greatest ever captains (1922), and its best passer in '22. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Long time college coach. Winningest coach in Rice University history. Vanderbilt athletic director (1967–71, 1973). College Football Hall of Fame as coach. [18]
Frank K. "Scotty" Neill 1925 End, Punter Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. [18]
Doug Nettles 1974 Defensive back National Football League player.
Edwin Noel 1907 Tackle All-Southern (1906)
Warren Norman 2012 Running back
John North 1947 End Captain (1947). National Football League player.
Jamie O'Rourke 1974 Running back One time career rushing leader. [43]
Don Orr 1956 Quarterback Led Vandy to its first bowl victory in the '55 Gator Bowl, coached by Arthur Guepe. Orr was a long time official.
Putty Overall 1921 Guard Long time coach at Tennessee Tech. Member of 1921 SIAA champions. [44]
Walter Overton 1974 Wide receiver All-SEC
Robert C. Patterson 1906 Center All-Southern (1905). He helped coach Vandy in 1908. [45]
Jim Peebles 1942 End National Football League player.
Dick Plasman 1936 Running back Captain (1936). Chicago Bears (1937–41, 1944), Chicago Cardinals (1946–47). Last NFL player to go without a helmet.
Joe Pritchard 1906 Tackle All-Southern (1905, 1906). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. One time coach at LSU. [13]
Emmett Putnam 1915 center second-team All-Southern (1913)
Shelton Quarles 1993 Linebacker National Football League player. Pro Bowl Selection (2002). Super Bowl Champion (XXXVII). SEC Football Legend (2008). [46]
Buford "Baby" Ray 1937 Tackle National Football League player. NFL 1940s All-Decade Team Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
Tom Redmond 1959 Defensive tackle National Football League player.
Gil Reese 1925 Running back First three-sport captain at Vandy. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Twice All-Southern. Member of teams which won three-straight conference titles. Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school. 1934 All-time Vandy team. [18]
Renford Reese 1989 Cornerback
Grantland Rice 1901 End Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. He averaged two broken bones a year and played three years (1897–1899), lettering in '99. [27][47][48]
Herb Rich 1949 Safety National Football League player. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (2000) [9]
John Rich 1951 Running back Came to Vanderbilt on a football scholarship. Successful businessman as founder of Delta Coals, Incorporated. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [34]
Sean Richardson 2011 Safety Currently plays for the Green Bay Packers.
Greer Ricketson 1937 Tackle Scored winning touchdown on "hidden ball" trick play against LSU in 1937.
Bob Rives 1925 Tackle All-Southern tackle (1924–1925), Newark Bears (1926). Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school. 1934 All-time Vandy team. [17]
Clyde Roberts 1933 Running back
Jordan Rodgers 2011 Quarterback Brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Ted Ross 1910 Guard All-Southern (1909)
Bo Rowland 1924 End One time coach at Henderson State. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Tom Ryan 1924 End All-Southern (1921). Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
Pat Saindon 1985 Offensive lineman National Football League player.
Red Sanders 1927 Running back Long time college coach. Coached Vandy from 1940–1942 and 1946–1948. Won a National Championship with UCLA in 1954.
Steven Scheu 2014 Tight end
Bill Schwartz 1930 End/Center Second-team All-American (1930)
Chuck Scott 1984 Wide receiver All-SEC. National Football League player. Target of Whit Taylor.
Jerron Seymour 2014 Running back set single-season Vanderbilt record for touchdowns at 14 in 2013.
Ryan Seymour 2012 Guard National Football League player.
Alf Sharpe 1923 Center Member of teams which won three-straight conference titles. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. [18]
Vernon Sharpe 1927 Center All-Southern. Captain (1927) [49]
Horace Sherrell 1908 Guard
Ammie Sikes 1913 Running back All-Southern (1911, 1912, 1913) [23]
Walter H. Simmons 1899 Halfback
Ed Smith 1979 Linebacker National Football League player.
Rupert Smith 1921 Running back Leading scorer for SIAA co-champion 1921 team. Played at Middle Tenn. St. with Jess Neely and Putty Overall. [50]
Carey Spear 2013 Placekicker currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. School record 81 points in 2012, then another with 99 in 2013.
Bill Spears 1928 Quarterback All-Southern (1926, 1927). All-American (1926, 1927). One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. College Football Hall of Fame (1962). [19][49]
Zac Stacy 2012 Running back currently plays for the New York Jets. First Commodore to rush for over 1,000 yards back to back years; and first to rush for over 3,000 yards in career.
Matt Stewart 2000 Linebacker National Football League player.
Ken Stone 1972 Safety National Football League player.
Stein Stone 1908 Center All-Southern (1904, 1905, 1906, 1907). 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. 1934 All-time Vandy team. One time coach at Clemson. Won 4 Southern championships in his 4 years. His catch against Sewanee in 1907 was ranked by Grantland Rice as the greatest thrill seen in his years watching sports. [13][17]
Marion Talley 1931 Guard
Ford Taylor 1893
Hillsman Taylor 1905 Tackle All-Southern (1905). 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. [13]
Whit Taylor 1982 Quarterback SEC Football Legend (2003). ArenaBowl 1 Champion (1987).
John J. Tigert 1903 Running back All-Southern (1903). College Football Hall of Fame. He and Bob Blake were both Rhodes Scholars. [51]
Pat Toomay 1969 Defensive end National Football League player.
Eric Vance 1996 Defensive back National Football League player.
Bradley Vierling 2009 Center currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Fred Vinson 1998 Cornerback National Football League player.
Pink Wade 1921 Guard Captain (1921), father of Bill Wade. [52]
Bill Wade 1952 Quarterback 1st Overall pick of the 1952 NFL Draft. SEC's Most Valuable Player (1951). Twice All-Pro and twice a Pro Bowl selection. NFL champion (1963). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (1994). [34]
Hek Wakefield 1924 End All-Southern, Consensus All-American in 1924. Starter for scoreless tie with Michigan at dedication of Dudley Field. Member of teams which won three-straight conference titles. Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school. One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. 1934 All-time Vandy team. [17][18][19]
James Walker 1924 Tackle Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Northern school.
E. M. Waller 1927 Quarterback Football and basketball coach at Middle Tennessee State (1933–1934). Coach when they were first dubbed the "Blue Raiders" [53]
Thomas Welch 2009 Tackle currently plays for the New Orleans Saints.
Bob Werckle 1951 Tackle Associated Press second-team All-American (1951)
Hubert Wiggs 1919 Lineman Player and coach for the Louisville Brecks of the National Football League.
Chris Williams 2007 Guard currently plays for the Buffalo Bills. Drafted 14th overall by the Chicago Bears.
Jimmy Williams 2000 Cornerback currently plays for the Seattle Seahawks
Pryor Williams 1917 Guard All-Southern (1915, 1916). National Football League player. [54]
Brenard Wilson 1978 Safety National Football League player.
Jamie Winborn 2000 Linebacker National Football League player.
John Windham 1985 Defensive end National Football League player. College coach.
DeMond Winston 1989 Linebacker Captain (1989), National Football League player.
Will Wolford 1985 Tackle First round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1986 NFL Draft. He made 3 Pro Bowls. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (2001) [27]
Mike Woodard 1981 Placekicker Vandy career record for most points after touchdown (80).
Todd Yoder 1999 Tight end National Football League player.
Tom Zerfoss 1919 End Later coached freshman football at Vanderbilt, and was an assistant under McGugin. He once played basketball for Kentucky. The Zerfoss Student Health Center at Vanderbilt bears his name. A plaque upon it reads "Named in honor of Thomas Bowman Zerfoss Sr., M.D. ... physician, guide, philosopher and friend to Vanderbilt students for more than 40 years." Zerfoss was Vanderbilt's A. D. from 1940 to 1944. [55]
Greg Zolman 2001 Quarterback

Baseball[edit]

Pedro Alvarez
Vin Campbell
Sonny Gray
Gink Hendrick
Mike Minor
David Price
Grantland Rice
See also: Vanderbilt Commodores baseball
Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Pedro Alvarez 2007 Third baseman Corner infielder for the Baltimore Orioles; drafted second overall in the 2008 MLB draft.
Bob Blake 1907 ?
Lynn Bomar 1924 Catcher
Harry Boss 1939 Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame [56]
Bull Brown 1929 Right fielder
Vin Campbell 1907 Outfielder
Curt Casali 2011 Catcher
Nick Christiani 2009 Pitcher
Wilson Collins c. 1912 Outfielder
Joey Cora 1984 Second baseman
Rabbit Curry 1916 Centerfielder
Rick Duncan 1976 Outfielder
Slim Embry 1923 Starting pitcher Captain (1923), Chicago White Sox (1923).
Ryan Flaherty 2008 Infielder Infielder for the Baltimore Orioles
Ewing Y. Freeland 1911 First baseman
Carson Fulmer 2016 Pitcher
Frank Godchaux 1921 Catcher
Sonny Gray 2011 Pitcher Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds
Charles Hawkins 1954 Starting pitcher Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [9]
Gink Hendrick 1920 1B/Outfielder New York Yankees (1923–24), Cleveland Indians (1925), Brooklyn Robins (1927–31), Cincinnati Reds (1931–32), St. Louis Cardinals (1932), Chicago Cubs (1933), Philadelphia Phillies (1934).
Taylor Hill 2010 Relief pitcher
Matt Kata 1999 Utility player Major League Baseball player
Doc Kuhn 1923 Shortstop
Scotti Madison 1981 Third baseman The first baseball player in school history to be selected as a first team All-American. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [37]
Tot McCullough 1923 1B/OF/Pitcher
Mike Minor 2005 Starting pitcher
Scrappy Moore 1917 Third baseman
Jess Neely 1922 Outfielder
Scotty Neill 1925 Infielder
Josh Paul 1996 Catcher Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2006–current) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2005), Chicago White Sox (1999–2003)
Jeff Peeples 1973 Starting pitcher Vanderbilt all-time leader in career wins (29) and earned run average (1.68). Led conference in ERA for two consecutive years (1971, 1972). Led conference in victories (12) and strikeouts (113) in 1973. Vanderbilt's first All-American in baseball (Second Team, 1973) Three-time First Team All-SEC pitcher (1971, 1972, 1973). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [27]
David Price 2007 Starting pitcher first overall draft pick in 2007 Major League Baseball draft by Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Adam Ravenelle 2014 Pitcher
Andy Reese 1926 Utility
Gil Reese 1925 Second baseman First three-sport captain.
Grantland Rice 1901 Shortstop Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. He was captain of the 1901 team. [27][48]
John Rich 1951 Third baseman Earned three varsity letters in baseball, leading the 1949 team in hitting. Successful businessman as founder of Delta Coals, Inc. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [34]
Boots Richardson 1921 Starting pitcher
Fred Russell 1927 Second baseman Chairman of the Honors Court of the College Football Hall of Fame for 29 years. Protégé of Grantland Rice. [48]
Scott Sanderson 1977 Starting pitcher
Jeremy Sowers 2004 Pitcher Major League Baseball player. Selected out of high school with the 20th overall pick in the MLB draft but instead decided to go to Vanderbilt. Preseason All-America (2004). Two-time All-SEC. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame [29]
Dansby Swanson 2016 Shortstop Atlanta Braves player; first overall draft pick in 2015 by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Julian Thomas 1921 First baseman
Drew VerHagen 2012 Pitcher

Basketball[edit]

See also: Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball
Alvin Bell
Festus Ezeli
John Jenkins
Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Alf Adams 1919 Guard Member of SIAA champion squad (1920)
Billy Joe Adcock 1950 Forward First basketball scholarship and first basketball All-American. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. [29]
Wade Baldwin IV 2018 Point guard basketball player for Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israeli Basketball Premier League, formerly NBA player with the Memphis Grizzlies. Left Vanderbilt in 2016 after his sophomore season.
Alvin "Pep" Bell 1924 Forward All-Southern basketball player. Officiated at the 1936 U.S. Olympic basketball trials. Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Bob Blake 1907
Lynn Bomar 1924 Forward
Derrick Byars 2007 Small forward SEC Player of the Year (2007), professional with several European teams
Josh Cody 1919 Forward
Phil Cox 1985 Guard
Zach Curlin 1913 Long time Memphis Tigers coach.
Charles Davis 1981 Small forward Finished eighth on all-time Vanderbilt scoring list with 1,675 points. First-Team All-SEC in 1979 and Third-Team All-SEC in 1978. Led the Commodores in rebounding all four years. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [9]
Bruce Elder 1993 Forward
Slim Embry 1923 Center
Festus Ezeli 2012 Center NBA player for the Golden State Warriors.
Butch Feher 1976 Shooting guard
Johnny "Red" Floyd 1920 Guard Coached at Middle Tennessee State; namesake of Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium.
Jeff Fosnes 1976 Forward First Academic All-American, and only two-time Academic All-American, in Vanderbilt basketball history. Fourth-round draft pick of the Golden State Warriors (1976).
Shan Foster 2008 Shooting guard Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [27]
Matt Freije 2004 Power forward Wooden Award finalist (2003–04); Atlanta Hawks (2006), New Orleans Hornets (2004–05), originally a second-round draft pick of the Miami Heat (2004)
Barry Goheen 1989 Guard
Damian Jones 2017 Center NBA player with the Golden State Warriors. Left Vanderbilt in 2016 after his junior season.
John Jenkins 2012 Shooting guard first-team All-SEC (2011, 2012), member of the USA national team at the 2011 Summer Universiade, NBA player with the Atlanta Hawks
Frank Kornet 1989 Power forward
Doc Kuhn 1923 Guard
Dan Langhi 2000 Small forward Houston Rockets (2000–02), Phoenix Suns (2002–03), Golden State Warriors (2003), Milwaukee Bucks (2003)
Clyde Lee 1966 Power forward He averaged the most points per game in school history and the balconies on the south end of Memorial Gymnasium are commonly referred to as the "balconies that Clyde built." Jersey number retired. SEC Player of the Year (1965–66), All-American (1966); third overall pick of the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1966–74); also played for the Atlanta Hawks (1975) and Philadelphia 76ers (1975–76). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [34]
Billy McCaffrey 1993 Guard Two-time All-American. Led Vanderbilt to highest national ranking of number 5. Holds record for most assists in a game at 14. SEC player of the year in 1993.
Ronnie McMahan 1995 Swingman
Garland Morrow 1922 Forward men's basketball coach (1929–1931; 1944–1946)
Will Perdue 1988 Center 1988 SEC Player of the Year. 1988 AP All-American Third Team. Finished career with Vanderbilt record .606 field goal percentage. Four-time NBA champion; Portland Trail Blazers (2000–01), San Antonio Spurs (1995–99), first-round draft pick (1988, 11th overall) of the Chicago Bulls (1988–95). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [37]
Gil Reese 1925 Guard/forward First three-sport captain.
Stein Stone 1908
Jeffery Taylor 2012 Small forward Three NBA seasons; currently playing in Spain with Real Madrid.
Jeff Turner 1984 Power forward
Jan van Breda Kolff 1974 Small forward
Perry Wallace 1970 Power forward first African American basketball player in the Southeastern Conference; law professor at American University. Jersey number retired. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [34]
Bo Wyenandt 1967 Forward Second Team All-SEC
Tom Zerfoss 1919 Forward/center He also played basketball at Kentucky. He was Vanderbilt's AD from 1940 to 1944.

Golf[edit]

Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Peggy Brady 1972 - In 1970 she received a surprise invitation from Athletic Director Jess Neely to represent Vanderbilt at the National Intercollegiate in Athens, Ga., where she placed third. (She was a one-person team) Named All-American by Women's Golf magazine. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame [34]
Jon Curran 2008
Luke List 2007
Brandt Snedeker 2003 Vanderbilt's most decorated golfer. Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and First-Team All-American (2003). Won the 2003 United States Pub Links Championship. All-Conference all four years he played at Vanderbilt. Reached the No. 1 individual ranking in the national Golfweek/Sagarin Poll in November 2002. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [9]

Soccer[edit]

Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Joe Germanese 2007
Tyler Griffin 2006 Goalkeeper She was 2005 SEC Defensive player of the year. Had 15 shutouts in 2005. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame [37]
John Krause 2005
Tony Kuhn 1997
Kenny Schoeni 2006
Jerry Sularz 1967

Tennis[edit]

Name Class year Position Notability Reference(s)
Joe C. Davis, Jr. 1942
Julie Ditty 2003 31 wins in 1999 is best single-season mark for a Commodore. Led Vanderbilt to first NCAA team championship final in school history in 2001. 114 singles wins is second-best in Vanderbilt history. ITA All-American 1999–2001. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [9]
Chris Groer 1996 All-American (1996). Holds best Vanderbilt doubles winning percentage with partner Krunch Kloberdanz. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [27]
Peter Lamb 1980 First tennis player to be offered a full athletic scholarship to Vanderbilt. Three-time All-SEC honors, 1978–1980. He was a native of South Africa. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame [37]
Ann Hutcheson-Price 1971 Three-time Tennessee State Collegiate singles champion. Made round of 16 at National Women's Tennis Tournament in 1970 and 1971. She graduated with an M. D. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [27]
Bobby Reynolds 2003
Paul Thurmond 1996

References[edit]

  1. ^ Vanderbilt Commodores | Official Athletic Site
  2. ^ a b c Bigelow, Poultney; Worman, James Henry; Worman, Ben James; Whitney, Caspar; Britt, Albert (1914). "Vanderbilt–A University of the New South". Outing. 64: 320–331.
  3. ^ Scott Muller at Sports Reference
  4. ^ "Dick Abernathy". Archived from the original on 2014-11-13. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  5. ^ Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, Volume 11. 1896. p. 524.
  6. ^ "Vanderbilt Trio of Underclassmen to Captain 2003 Squad; Team Without Senior Captain for First Time Since World War I". June 9, 2003. Archived from the original on November 26, 2009.
  7. ^ "Ricky Anderson". vucommodores.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  8. ^ "Armistead of Vanderbilt Dixie's Brightest Star". The Milwaukee Journal. November 13, 1928.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "2009 Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  10. ^ Bill Traughber (November 20, 2013). "Vanderbilt defeated Vols twice in 1892". Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  11. ^ Roy M. Neel. Dynamite! 75 Years of Vanderbilt Basketball. pp. 44, 244.
  12. ^ "Berryhill Named Captain of Vandy". Montgomery Adviser. November 30, 1920.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Vanderbilt University (1913). Vanderbilt University Quarterly. Vol. 13. p. 56.
  14. ^ a b c d e "All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present". Gadsden Times. July 27, 1969.
  15. ^ "Dan Blake". Hopkinsville Kentuckian. October 1, 1912. p. 4.
  16. ^ Spalding's Football Guide. Shawnee Mission, Kansas, NCAA Publishing Service. 1909. p. 75.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vanderbilt University (1934). The Commodore. p. 126.
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  19. ^ a b c d e f "Vandy Coach Picks Greatest Grid Players of Long Football Career". The Evening Independent. August 26, 1930.
  20. ^ George Allen (February 2009). How to Scout Football. p. 3. ISBN 9781578987290.
  21. ^ Bill Traughber (August 29, 2007). "CHC: Watson Brown – Always a Commodore". Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  22. ^ a b Dick Jemison (November 30, 1915). "Composite All-Southern Of Ten Of The Dopesters". Atlanta Constitution.
  23. ^ a b c d Charles Weatherby (2 April 2014). "Wilson Collins". The Miracle Braves of 1914: Boston's Original Worst-to-First World Series: 13. ISBN 9781933599700.
  24. ^ "Costen, Crabtree, & Costen". Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory: 2624. 1950.
  25. ^ "Dixie Football Players Ready". Prescott Evening Courier. December 22, 1927.
  26. ^ Edwin Mims (1946). History of Vanderbilt University. p. 285.
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h "2010 Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2015-02-19. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  28. ^ "– Official Website Of The Denver Broncos". Denverbroncos.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  29. ^ a b c "2013 Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2014-07-05. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  30. ^ Couch, Ernie (2001). SEC Football Trivia. Thomas Nelson Inc.
  31. ^ Gasper, Christopher L. (February 28, 2008). "Goff made some noise". The Boston Globe.
  32. ^ Vanderbilt Football 2014 Fact Book Archived 2014-08-19 at the Wayback Machine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, pp. 134, 142, 151 (2014). Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  33. ^ "Bob Gude". Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g "2008 Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  35. ^ "On Gridiron In South". Atlanta Constitution. December 25, 1904.
  36. ^ a b "Wearers of the "V."". Vanderbilt University Quarterly. 9: 189. 1909.
  37. ^ a b c d e "2011 Vanderbilt Athletic Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2015-03-20. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  38. ^ "Six Schools Win Places on Annual Mythical Eleven". The Evening Independent. December 1, 1941.
  39. ^ "Tex Leyendecker". Archived from the original on 2014-09-26.
  40. ^ Vanderbilt University (1914). "Auburn". Vanderbilt University Quarterly. 14: 312.
  41. ^ Vanderbilt University (1909). "The Football Banquet of 1908". Bulletin: 29.
  42. ^ e.g. "Consolidated All-Southern Chosen by Ten Scribes; Eleven Like Innis Brown's". Atlanta Constitution. December 3, 1912. p. 10.
  43. ^ Bill Traughber (October 17, 2012). "Jamie O'Rourke Former Rushing Leader".
  44. ^ "No Thirteen on Vanderbilt Team". Dallas Morning News. October 18, 1921.
  45. ^ "Patterson Will Help Dan McGugan [sic]". Atlanta Georgian. June 25, 1908.
  46. ^ "Not Just For Profit". Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  47. ^ Sideliner (March 1920). "Athlete, Soldier and Writer". Outing:Sport, Adventure, Travel, Fiction. 75 (6). Retrieved April 23, 2015 – via Google books. Open access icon
  48. ^ a b c John A. Simpson. The Greatest Game Ever Played in Dixie. pp. 27, 227.
  49. ^ a b "Spears Given Highest Vote in Selection". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. November 27, 1927.
  50. ^ "Game With Vandy Is Tied As Novel Play Is Pulled Successful". The Red And Black. November 18, 1921.
  51. ^ College Football Hall of Fame, John Tigert Member Biography. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
  52. ^ "Commodores Defeat Texas Longhorns before Crowded Stadium, 20 to 0". Dallas Morning News. October 23, 1921.
  53. ^ "Oral History Interview With Isa Lee Freeman" (PDF). July 3, 1995. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 19, 2014.
  54. ^ "Pryor Williams". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  55. ^ "Tom Zerfoss".
  56. ^ "Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2015-10-13.
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