2008 Vanderbilt Commodores

[Colonel_Reb]

Here are the whites who should start for Vandy this year.After not having one in 2007, the SEC has a majority white team again.


Offense


RB Jared Hawkins-in a fight for the position


TE Austin Monehan


LT Reilly Lauer


LG Ryan Custer


C Bradley Vierling


RG Joey Bailey


RT Thomas Welch





Defense


DT Adam Smotherman


DE Steven Stone


MLB Patrick Benoist


SLB John Stokes


WLB Nate Campbell-in a fight for the position


FS Ryan HamiltonEdited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Deadlift]

Miami (Ohio) should be a good test for Vanderbilt and their new White starters.

This game is August 28th.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Yes sir Deadlift, I'm looking forward to that one very much.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Interesting article I just found about the game.


Vanderbilt at Miami Univ. 7:30 PM Thursday, August 28th
- Just how good is Miami? The defending MAC East champions, or at least the co-champs that represented the division in the conference championship game, is loaded with the league's best linebacking corps, an improved offense, and the type of talent that can pull off a big win over a BCS team. This could be the statement game for the league.
- If Vanderbilt wants to get to a bowl game for the first time since 1982, is has to come up with the win in Oxford. With the SEC opener coming Thursday night, September 4<SUP>th</SUP> against South Carolina, the Commodores have to be as sharp as possible, as quickly as possible. The tremendous secondary might be the best in the SEC as the year goes on, while the offense should be able to move the ball on the ground.


That secondary includes white FS Ryan Hamilton.

 

[Deadlift]

If you don't mind me asking, does Vandy have any substitute players that we need to keep our eyes on this season (TE, WR, LB, etc)?

 

[Guest]

Ryan Van Rensburg is a tailback that is expected to get some reps behind Jared Hamilton and Jeff Jennings ( black ).

 

[Guest]

Sorry, Jared Hawkins not Hamilton.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Also Deadlift, look for WR Chris Reinert and DT T.J. Greenstone to get some playing time. I just updated the number of white starters. Looks like I was sleeping when I did the original preview. If they all win their position battles, Vandy will start 14 whites!

If that happens, it will be the most of any SEC team in a number of years.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

rob3873, thanks for the info on Ryan! Here's a little bit about him. I hope we do get to see him carry the ball some this year. I hope Vandy can finally get over the hump and get to a bowl game for the first time since 1982. I hope they whip the tar out of New Miss too!
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<TD vAlign=center> Ryan van Rensburg</TD>


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<TD vAlign=top>Class:
RS Freshman
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<TD vAlign=top>Hometown:
Jacksonville, Fla.
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<TD vAlign=top>High School:
Bolles School
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<TD vAlign=top>Height / Weight:
6-1 / 215
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<TD vAlign=top>Position:
TB
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2007
Did not see game action as a freshman, though impressed as a practice squad running back in fall drills... Earned team's Offensive Scout of the Week honor after Georgia game.


HIGH SCHOOL
Three-year letterwinner for one of Florida's top 2A programs... Started as lone back as junior and senior, helping Bulldogs to 2006 state title... Averaged 14 yards per carrry rushing for 1,049 yards and 15 TDs as senior, earning All-State honors... Named by Jacksonville Times-Union to Florida Super 25 team... As junior, rushed for 20 TDs and nearly 1,000 yards... Also lettered in track &amp; field and weightlifting... Won state weightlifting championship as a senior and finished third in state weightlifting championships as junior and qualified for state track meet in shot put.


PERSONAL
Ryan J. van Rensburg... Son of Andre and Linda van Rensburg... Born March 22, 1988 in Cape Town, South Africa... Dad is in commercial real estate development; mom is an artist and horseback riding instructor... Older brother, Shaun, plays linebacker for Furman... Family immigrated to America in 2000... Became U.S. citizen in 2005... Started playing football upon arriving in Florida... Grew up playing rugby in in South Africa... Also speaks native Afrikaans language from South African heritage... Enjoys sculpting... Close friends with fellow Commodore football recruit Tim Fugger.


THE BOLLES SCHOOL HEAD COACH CORKY ROGERS
"Ryan was a two-year starter for us, and really the backbone of our football team. He was our leading ground gainer and scorer, and played through injuries. In the playoffs, Ryan just gutted it out and gave us all he had.


"I think Ryan's best football days are still ahead of him because he's been playing the game all of four years. He's really put together physically. They (the Vanderbilt coaches) are going to be surprised at how well-rounded Ryan is as a player, a guy that can block, run and catch the football."

 

[referendum]

Hey, van Rensberg adds to the diversity of college football, a literal African American.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Thats true referendum! Just another reason why I never call blacks African Americans.

 

[White Power]

Van Renburg is a beast I actually watched him play down in Florida while I was in the state. This kid is big strong and fast he literally carried defenders 5 extra yards like Riggans used to do, but he is fast can hits the hole super quick. I beleive Van Rensburg can be a featured back at the next level. He just might be the most dominant white running back I have seen play live in the last 10 years.

 

[whiteCB]

Yeah really looking forward to the Vandy vs. Miami U. game. Should be a treat to watch. Go Redhawks!! (sorry have to go with the MAC over a SEC team

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Yeah really looking forward to the Vandy vs. Miami U. game. Should be a treat to watch. Go Redhawks!! (sorry have to go with the MAC over a SEC team

Naturally whiteCB. Just the opposite with me, as long as the teams are both playing around the same number of white starters. Of course it is a rare occasion for an SEC team to be in that position with Miami U. Having said that, go Commodores!!

 

[Angelcynn]

I had a feeling Ryan was South African. Van Rensburg is a very common Afrikaans surname.

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

Hawkins is said to be the fastest player on the Commodores roster and had led the team in yards per carry the last two seasons... however, the head coach recently said the black player he is competing with for the starting spot is more "explosive." huh?

 

[Colonel_Reb]

I just updated the starters based on this week's depth chart. Just some shuffling around, no losses or gains for us. Jared Hawkins may or may not start Thursday night. We'll have to see what happens.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Vandy goes with Nickson as QB and Jennings as RB tonight.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Jennings fumbled and it led to a Miami FG! I'm glad. The stupid Vandy announcers towing the line with "I think you have to go back to him" talking about Jennings as the RB.

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Jared just scored, and was the backbone of the drive, shoving it down SC's throat! Awesome stuff!

On a sad note, WR Chris Reinert was injured (leg) on the play before Jared's TD run. Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[Triad]

Hawkins score should be on all the highlights tonight. He led the team down the field to go up by 14.

 

[PhillyBirds]

Hawkins is a really explosive north-south runner. He hits the hole straight ahead and at a million miles an hour. That 13 yard blast was sheer strength. He's looking good!

EDIT: Just realized. Black QB handing the ball to white RB. Is Caste Football incensed or ecstatic?
Edited by: PhillyBirds

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Some really pathetic play calling at times by Vandy. They go to Jared and he does good things, then they go to the black backs and get nothing. The black (mobile) QB can't gain yardage and they punt the ball. Sad stuff. If a white RB like Jared could get on a well coached team, he could really do something. He's still doig his part though.


As far as the black QB goes, I'm incensed because Adams is just as good if not better than Nickson. Edited by: Colonel_Reb

 

[PhillyBirds]

Other thing I noticed: Anyone see who one of the commentators was? It was Craig James!

 

[Colonel_Reb]

Yeah, that stupid announcer on the far left of the screen, can't remember his name, kept calling Jared a North/South runner. Always has to be some kind of limiting label attached to the white back. Jared, congrats on being the leading rusher in the game and the player of the game!

17 for 84 and a TD