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Vanderbilt football didn’t have any players drafted in Clark Lea’s first three seasons − but that could change soon.
Lea has raised the talent level of the team by picking up strong transfers and developing freshmen. But that’s taken time to show up in the NFL draft results, as players are not eligible to declare for the draft until they are juniors, and most players wait until they have exhausted their eligibility before declaring.
Part of the key to getting more players drafted will be retaining talent. Two players who grad transferred from Vanderbilt during Lea’s tenure − Tyler Steen and Ray Davis − were drafted and made NFL rosters. The Commodores also have had some success producing undrafted players, as Anfernee Orji, Jaylen Mahoney and Allan George all spent time on NFL rosters after signing as undrafted free agents. Former punter Matt Hayball, too, is now starting in the NFL.
Here are five players who could get selected in the NFL draft in 2026 and beyond:
Eli Stowers
Stowers was considered to be a possible third-round pick and one of the top tight ends in the draft, but he opted not to declare and instead will return to Vanderbilt.
In 2024, Stowers was the first Commodores non-specialist to be named First Team All-SEC since 2016. He ranked second among SEC tight ends with 638 receiving yards.
Another year at Vanderbilt will give Stowers a chance to increase his draft stock if he can continue to improve as a blocker and can prove he can stay healthy.
Martel Hight
Hight, a junior, will be draft-eligible for the first time in 2026. Either next year or in 2027 if he does not declare as a junior, Hight could receive some draft buzz for his versatility.
While Hight is a solid cornerback, recording 33 tackles and two interceptions in 2024, it’s his versatility that could really appeal to NFL teams. Hight is an excellent punt returner, being named Second Team All-SEC after recording 18 returns for 265 yards and a touchdown. The Commodores also have experimented with using him at wide receiver.
Special teams experience and versatility is a big plus in the NFL draft, and Hight grades out strongly in those areas.
Brock Taylor
Kickers don’t usually get drafted, but Taylor could be an exception. In 2024, he was 18-for-21 on field goals and made five from 50+ yards, a school record.
It’s unlikely that Taylor would declare for the draft as a redshirt sophomore, although he would be eligible. Most kickers stay in school until they have exhausted their eligibility due to the difficulty of getting drafted as a kicker.
Randon Fontenette
Vanderbilt has had great success developing players at the hybrid linebacker/safety position, and Fontenette is the next up after players like De’Rickey Wright and CJ Taylor. In 2024 as a sophomore, Fontenette had 73 tackles. He shared the team lead with eight tackles for loss, led the team with eight pass breakups and was third with 3.5 sacks.
The “star” position, as it is called at Vanderbilt, is not commonly used in the NFL, and players who play it in college often face suspicion due to lack of a clear positional projection at the next level. But Fontenette’s production is hard to argue with.
Nick Rinaldi
Rinaldi didn’t play football until his senior year of high school and joined Vanderbilt as a walk-on. But he’s developed into a significant pass-rush threat. In 2024, Rinaldi led the team with six sacks and also had six tackles for loss.
Rinaldi is more of a pass-rush specialist, as he isn’t an impact player against the run. That makes him unlikely to be a high draft pick, but teams looking for a high-upside player on Day 3 could take interest in Rinaldi, especially since he has shown the ability to excel on special teams as well.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, @aria_gerson.
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