4 Vanderbilt true freshmen to watch during the 2017 season

When speaking of college football recruiting, the Commodores usually won’t impress on paper. With the highest academic standards and smallest tradition, top-ranked recruits usually don’t flock to the West End.

This year’s class is no different under fourth-year head coach Derek Mason, with nothing but three-star ranked athletes signed. With only 14 seniors departing and 17 starters unofficially returning (nine on offense and eight on defense), Mason and his staff have the luxury of bringing these newcomers along slowly.

Of the 20 signed, maybe a few at the most will contribute heavily this season, assuming there are no catastrophic injuries. What this class will add is depth, especially along…