Vanderbilt lost its eighth and ninth players since spring practice this week, trimming a roster that’s already thin from COVID-19 opt-outs.
Starting safety Tae Daley and backup safety Tre Douglas both decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal. AL.com’s Matt Zenitz first reported that Daley entered the portal, and Douglas announced his decision on Twitter.
In April, starting wide receiver C.J. Bolar transferred to Alcorn State. On Sept. 2, reserve running back J.R. Tran-Reno entered the transfer portal and went to Samford.
In addition, five players have opted out of the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns, but they remain on the roster and in good standing, per SEC guidelines.
It's a high number of lost players heading into the season, which starts Sept. 26 at No. 10 Texas A&M. Here is how their absence impacts the Commodores:
Tae Daley
Daley, a senior, started 17 games over the past two seasons. In 2019, he ranked third on the squad with 57 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. Daley was projected to be a key cog in the secondary this season. Without him, the Commodores still have experience at safety with the return of starter Dashaun Jerkins and former starter Frank Coppet, who missed 10 games due to injury in 2019.
Tre Douglas
Last season, Douglas played 11 games with limited snaps as a redshirt freshman. He was not projected to be a major factor in this year’s secondary, and the Commodores still have some depth at safety. Brendon Harris had 51 tackles in 11 games (three starts) last season. Justin Harris, Maxwell Worship and Anfernee Orji could also be in the rotation. Safety Donovan Kaufman and hybrid safety-linebacker De’Rickey Wright were the highest-rated signees in the 2020 recruiting class, and they'll likely play early.
C.J. Bolar
Bolar made 34 catches for 440 yards as a promising freshman in 2018, and he had 11 catches for 79 yards in an injury-plagued 2019 season. If back at full strength, Bolar could have been one of the key receivers alongside Cam Johnson, Chris Pierce and others. Vanderbilt still has options at that position, but new offensive coordinator Todd Fitch wants to utilize a deep receiving corps in three-wide and four-wide formations. Bolar would’ve been in that mix.
J.R. Tran-Reno
Tran-Reno, a 2017 Alabama Mr. Football finalist, signed with Vanderbilt in the 2019 class as an athlete by position, but he never played a game for the Commodores. He had been buried on the depth chart at running back. Jamauri Wakefield returned from a 2019 injury. Backup Keyon Brooks is back to compete for the starting job. Versatile running back Ja’Veon Marlow, who was hampered by injuries in 2019, and freshman Rocko Griffin have been praised by coach Derek Mason in preseason practice.
Cole Clemens
Clemens, a senior, started in 21 games over the past two seasons, splitting time at tackle and guard. He opted out of the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns, and Mason said he would be greatly missed because of his versatility. Without Clemens, the offensive line could have major holes.
Jonathan Stewart
Stewart, an offensive tackle, opted out over COVID-19 concerns, weakening a position already in question. After last season, standout tackle Devin Cochran announced he was transferring to Georgia Tech, but he never enrolled there. With Stewart’s unavailability, right tackle likely will be filled by Central Connecticut transfer Connor Mignone or an inexperienced player.
Bryce Bailey
Bailey has been a utility lineman who would’ve carried value on this makeshift line, but he also opted out over COVID-19 concerns. Last season, he played 12 games with two starts at guard. His unavailability may be felt the most late in the season if the rotation on the offensive line becomes thinner.
Stephen Spanellis
Spanellis, a Michigan graduate transfer, played in 37 games as a reserve offensive lineman in three seasons for the Wolverines. He opted out of the 2020 season over COVID-19 concerns. Spanellis could’ve factored in at center or guard. With five offensive linemen opting out, Mason hinted that defensive linemen are being moved to offense.
Oren Milstein
Milstein, a non-scholarship player and Columbia graduate transfer, was going to compete with Javan Rice for the vacant placekicker job. But he opted out over COVID-19 concerns. Milstein made 20 of 26 field goals and 42 of 44 PATs in his Columbia career, earning All-Ivy League first-team honors in 2016. Rice is now the front-runner for kicking job, but Mason said he missed some practices because of a COVID-19 quarantine. Milstein’s absence could yield a depth issue at kicker if Rice is unavailable during the season.
Reach Adam Sparks at asparks@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
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