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2016 Vanderbilt Football Recruiting: Head coach Derek Mason didn’t get a bad class for what he and the Commodores needed, but can he get some instant help?

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Vanderbilt Football Recruiting Class Overview

The Commodores are always going to face an uphill battle when it comes to battling with the rest of the SEC in terms of recruiting, but they came up with a good amount of three-star types to at least provide the base. By most other standards, Vandy pulled in a nice recruiting season, but when ten conference teams are ranked in the top 30, it’s always going to be tough. Even so, head coach Derek Mason got enough SEC-caliber prospects to do what the program needs.

The Class Is Heavy On …

Defensive back. The receiving corps is getting plenty of help with Kalija Lipscomb a big, fast target leading the way, and with Donaven Tennyson speedy smallish playmaker. But it’s the defensive backfield that should be the strength. Safeties JoeJuan Williams and Zaire Jones each in the mix for other SEC schools, and corners Frank Coppett and Elijah Hamilton two nice, big prospects for the outside.

The Star of the Class Is …

S JoeJuan Williams, 6-3, 194 – He’s one of the only guys Vandy was able to beat out the big boys for. Everyone in the SEC was in the mix for the big defensive back, and Ohio State, Nebraska and Notre Dame were in the fight, too. But Williams came on early in the process and gave the program a big name recruit to work around.

The Team’s Biggest 2016 Depth Chart Hole Is …

The offensive line – sort of. The Commodores return loaded with experience, only losing three starters on defense and three more on offense, but they’re spread out among the positions. The only area that has to replace a few parts is the O line with center Spencer Pulley and guard Jake Bernstein gone. Replacing star tight end Steven Scheu will be a problem, too.

2016 Vanderbilt Football Recruiting Class

Sean Auwae Offensive Line 6-4 310 Kapolei, Hawaii Kapolei HS
Drew Birchmeier Defensive Line 6-4 280 Midlothian, Va. Cosby HS
Devin Cochran Offensive Line 6-7 310 Norcross, Ga. Greater Atlanta Christian School
Turner Cockrell Tight End 6-5 215 Acworth, Ga. Allatoona HS
Frank Coppet Defensive Back 5-11 180 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. St. Thomas Aquinas HS
Elijah Hamilton Defensive Back 6-2 190 Roswell, Ga. Blessed Trinity Catholic HS
Kenny Hebert Linebacker 6-4 215 New Orleans, La. Holy Cross HS
Zaire Jones Defensive Back 6-0 195 Meridian, Miss. Meridian HS
Braden Kopp Offensive Line 6-5 290 Houston, Texas Houston Christian HS
Kalija Lipscomb Wide Receiver 6-1 185 New Orleans, La. Jesuit HS
Sam Loy Punter/Kicker 6-1 185 San Clemente, Calif. Santa Margarita Catholic HS
Andre Mintze Linebacker 6-3 225 Philadelphia, Pa. Imhotep Institute
Austin Quillen Defensive Back 5-11 190 Jenks, Okla. Jenks HS
Josiah Sa’o Defensive Line 6-2 290 San Diego, Calif. Kearny HS
Donaven Tennyson Wide Receiver 5-10 170 Richmond, Va. Benedictine College Prep
Cameron Tidd Defensive Line 6-3 270 Greenwood, Ind. Center Grove HS
Jamauri Wakefield Running Back 6-1 215 Jacksonville, Fla. Providence HS
Deuce Wallace Quarterback 6-2 205 Sevierville, Tenn. Sevier County HS
Joejuan Williams Defensive Back 6-3 195 Nashville, Tenn. Father Ryan HS/Hendersonville HS
Jackson Winrow Wide Receiver 6-1 180 Shawnee, Okla. Shawnee HS

MORE: Ranking No. 1 Recruiting Classes Since 2002