If there's one thing you can't have enough of in the SEC, it's pass-rushers. This is a league predicated by predatory trench play, and the more you can thwart those massive linemen in order to live in another team's backfield, the better.
That's why it was so important that Derek Mason bring another top-flight pass-rusher to his defense in Vanderbilt's 2017 recruiting class. Now, this wasn't a class that burned up the rankings and was filled with golden stars, but it did accomplish the goal of getting the type of edge player critical to what Mason wants to do on defense.
That's where four-star defensive end Dayo Odeyingbocomes in. The Texas prospect was the only four-star Mason signed, and he should be called upon early. At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Odeyingbo is the type of rangy player the SEC churns out along the outside. He's an explosive player, and still has room to add good mass in order to get even stronger.
He has quick hands and feet, but he's still very much a project of sorts when it comes to really competing in the SEC. And the thing is that Vandy still returns its top outside pass-rushers, but Mason won't be afraid to throw the frosh into the mix. Vandy needs help on offense but signed just one receiver, and Illinois transfer running back Ke'Shawn Vaughn must sit out the 2017 season because of transfer rules.
That opens things up for Odeyingbo to get some early reps in 2017. He has some work to do from a physical sense, but he should be able to adapt to college life early, thanks to his older brother, Dare, being a redshirt defensive end on the team as well. Both could help expand Vandy's pass-rushing skills this fall.
