With the NFL season officially upon us, many of Vanderbilt Football’s alumni are focused on making their marks in the league. September is a critical time for players, as roster spots are always fluctuating with roles still being filled.
In this edition of ‘Dores in the Pros, The Hustler takes a look into the season ahead.
Jordan Matthews, Tight End (2010-2013): Carolina Panthers
Matthews was a first team All-American during his senior year at Vanderbilt, and he ended his collegiate career with the third-highest total yards by an SEC receiver in a season ever (1,477). Matthews, who also holds the school record for touchdowns at 24, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He had a seamless transition to the NFL, scoring 16 touchdowns within his first two seasons as a premier threat on the Eagles offense. Injuries later derailed the career of the 6’3” pass catcher, and Matthews transitioned positions to tight end. He bounced around for a bit, spending time with the San Francisco 49ers before signing with the Carolina Panthers this offseason. In his debut, he recorded a target but was held without a reception.
Dayo Odeyingbo, Defensive End (2017-2020): Indianapolis Colts
Odeyingbo came to Vanderbilt as a four-star recruit and immediately made an impact as a true freshman, recording 20 tackles through eight games in 2017. Odeyingbo continued to shine as a Commodore, concluding with an All-SEC Second Team selection in his final season. Odeyingbo was selected with the 54th pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He has steadily improved since joining the league, highlighted by a career year in 2023 with eight sacks. On Sunday, Odeyingbo earned a split sack against the Houston Texans, and he’ll continue operating as a key cog in the Colts’ defensive line.
Trent Sherfield, Wide Receiver (2014-2017): Minnesota Vikings
Sherfield spent four standout years at Vanderbilt, serving as a captain in 2017. When all was said and done, he finished eighth all time in receptions and receiving yards for the Commodores while receiving a Biletnikoff Award nomination during his senior season. Many will remember his career thanks to a record-breaking 240-yard performance against Austin Peay in 2015. Transitioning into the pros, Sherfield started his career with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. After four underwhelming years, he left Arizona in the summer of 2022 and joined the Miami Dolphins. In Miami, Sherfield saw steady improvement and made an immediate impact, recording 31 receptions for 417 yards and 2 touchdowns (all career-highs). He followed this breakout with a one year, $1.77 million contract with the Buffalo Bills in 2023. Sherfeild posted 11 receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown with the Bills before signing his current deal with the Vikings. In Week One, Sherfield didn’t record a catch, but he was on the field for 31% of offensive snaps. Sherfield will continue to see snaps in a Vikings offense that looked strong in Week One.
Matthew Hayball, Punter (2022-2023): New Orleans Saints
Hayball, a three-year member of the Florida Atlantic Owls, transferred to Vanderbilt for his fourth and fifth seasons in 2022 and 2023. Hayball shined during his time in Nashville, and was thus honored as the SEC Punter of the Year in his final collegiate season. The 27-year-old went undrafted in 2024 before eventually signing with the New Orleans Saints. Hayball, showing his unbelievable punting abilities once more, won the preseason punting competition and played a role in the Saints’ domination of the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, landing a punt inside the 20-yard-line.
Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Running Back (2017-2019): San Francisco 49ers
Vaughn cemented himself in Vanderbilt Football’s rich history in 2019 when he ran for 1,015 yards — good enough for eighth among Vanderbilt’s all-time rushers. Vaughn was drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he played four seasons. Vaughn had a disappointing tenure as a Buccaneer, only rushing for 400 yards across those four years before he was eventually released. After signing with the San Francisco 49ers, Vaughn has an opportunity to carve a role for himself in the upcoming weeks after star running back Christian McCaffrey’s injury.
Justin Skule, Offensive Tackle (2015-2018): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Skule was a four-year starter for Vanderbilt, and a good one at that. He was honored as the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week in October of his senior year before ultimately being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Skule appeared in all 16 games for the 49ers during his sophomore campaign in 2020. The following season, Skule suffered a torn ACL and was later released by the 49ers. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and is currently still on the roster.
Khari Blasingame, Fullback (2014-2018): Chicago Bears
Blasingame started his career at Vanderbilt on defense and special teams, but switched to running back before his third season in 2016. He eventually earned the starting running back job in 2018, rushing for 401 yards and 5 touchdowns. His Vanderbilt career is best highlighted by an electric 65-yard touchdown against Baylor. Blasingame went undrafted in 2019 but ended up staying in Nashville to play fullback for the Tennessee Titans. He hung around in the South for three more years before moving north to play for the Chicago Bears in 2022. He’ll look to build off of his years of experience in 2024 to help the Bears return to the playoffs.
Jaylen Mahoney, Safety (2019-2023): San Francisco 49ers
Mahoney was a star on the Commodores’ defense throughout his tenure at Vanderbilt, as he was one of just five members of the class of 2023 to see the field as a freshman. Mahoney went on to start every game he played at Vanderbilt from 2020-2023. The 5’11” safety shined during his time on West End, earning an All-SEC honorable mention selection in 2023 while recording 247 tackles across five years at Vanderbilt. Mahoney went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he is currently on the practice squad and fighting for a spot on the active roster.
Adam Butler, Defensive Tackle (2012-2016): Las Vegas Raiders
Butler began low on the depth chart when he first got to Vanderbilt, but he moved his way up the ranks, posting a team-high four sacks in his senior year (2016) while registering at least a tackle every game. Butler left Vanderbilt as an undrafted free agent before signing with the New England Patriots. At New England, Butler won a Super Bowl (2018) and recorded 15 sacks across four years. After playing well and earning a roster spot, Butler signed a two-year contract worth $7.5 million with the Dolphins in 2021. He ultimately played only one full season before being released. After he was released, Butler signed a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, posting five sacks that year. Butler resigned with the Raiders for the 2024 season and saw immediate action in Week One. He made four tackles and added a quarterback hit last week. The Raiders will look for Butler to continue to fill gaps as a run stopper and pressure the quarterback this year.
Anfernee Orji, Linebacker (2019-2022): New Orleans Saints
Entering as a four-star prospect per Rivals, Orji played four seasons at Vanderbilt and was the centerpiece of the Commodores’ defense. Orji led the team in tackles for three consecutive years (2020-2022). He finished his senior season as second team All-SEC, led the SEC in tackles per game and was placed on the Bednarik and Butkus Award watch lists. Orji entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023, signing with the New Orleans Saints on a three-year, $2.705 million contract. Orji was waived during his rookie year but ultimately moved his way back up to the practice squad before the season ended. Orji’s 2024 is already off to a great start, as he played a large role in the Saints’ dominant performance against the Panthers, recording five tackles. He’ll look to build off this strong showing as the Saints face the Dallas Cowboys this weekend.
Oren Burks, Inside Linebacker (2013-2017): Philadelphia Eagles
Oren Burks redshirted his first year at Vanderbilt and took off after that. Burks ended his Commodore career as a defensive co-captain. In 2017, Burks ranked 15th in the SEC in total tackles while also playing himself onto the Butkus Award watch list. Burks was drafted in the third round by the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 NFL Draft, signing a four-year deal worth $3.41 million. Burks found some playing time with the Packers across four years, starting a total of seven games while recording 92 tackles. Following his time with the Packers, Burks signed a two-year, $5 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers. He recorded 1.5 sacks and 84 total tackles across two years in the Bay. In 2024, Burks finds himself in more of a special teams role with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
