![Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker CJ Taylor (1) after an interception during the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5472,h_3078/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/356/01j051frcjt58dx1nz2m.jpg "Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker CJ Taylor (1) after an interception during the first half at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
The Vanderbilt Commodores are team to watch in the SEC this upcoming football season. Head Coach Clark Lea has built up a great group of transfers to come to Nashville and that has improved the team a ton.
Lea lost 25 players to the transfer portal in the 2024 recruiting cycle, but was able to keep two stars on the team. These two stars that stayed with Vanderbilt have been selected on Phil Steele's Preseason All SEC Teams.
Who are the two Vanderbilt football players on Phil Steele Preseasons All-SEC Teams?
CJ Taylor, Safety
Vanderbilt's star safety, CJ Taylor, was placed on the All-SEC Third Team. Taylor is a two year starter for the Commodore defense and was the best overall player for Vanderbilt a season ago.
During the offseason, there was speculation that Taylor would transfer out of Vanderbilt, but ultimately, Coach Lea was able to keep him in Nashville.
In 2023, Taylor battled injuries, but when he was healthy, he was one of the big time playmakers on the field. In nine games, Taylor made 55 total tackles (29 solo) with 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He forced two fumbles and showed skills in coverage with two interceptions and five passes defended.
Taylor will be the head of the Vanderbilt defense in 2024. All eyes will be on him as he is a draft prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Langston Patterson, Linebacker
Vanderbilt's star linebacker, Langston Patterson, was placed on the All-SEC Fourth Team. Patterson was a starter in his sophomore season and was a big time player in the middle of the defense.
The Nashville native emerged as the linebacker of the future for the Commodores with his impressive 2023 campaign.
What were Langston Patterson's stats in 2023? In 2023, Patterson played in 11 of the 12 games for the Commodores. In 11 games, Patterson made 74 total tackles (38 solo) with eight tackles for loss and one sack. He also made some turnovers happen with one forced fumble and one interception.
Patterson will be relied on heavily in 2024 as he is the only returning starter in the linebacker group. Although he is the only returning starter, this linebacker group has a lot of talent.
These two stars on the field are going to be big playmakers for Vanderbilt this season. The Commodores went 2-10 last season, but they appear to have improved this season. Keep an eye out for the Commodores.